Judicial independence should not be shrouded in controversies of bias and partisan politics

 

By Moses Sserwanga   Government should be saluted for being steadfast in increasing the number  of judicial officers to meet the high demand for justice within the population .   However, as number of judicial officers increases at all levels -there has also been a marked rise in cases of conflicts between Magistrates / judges and Advocates- who are also (officers of court) –in the management and determination of cases.   In this two part series, about this intricate relationship between judicial officers (the bench) and Advocates (the bar)- its prudent to remind us about the legal responsibilities and professional conduct expected of either party in the dispensation of justice and upholding the rule of law in Uganda.   And we shall in this particular article deal with the case of judicial officers at all levels.

Chief Justice emeritus, Benjamin Odoki, in his book Judicial Conduct and Practice, has stated that the most important single quality required of a judge is that he must be a personal of unquestionable probity. For a judge or any other judicial officer a reputation for honesty is as important as honesty itself. Therefore, the assumption of a judicial office casts upon the incumbent certain obligations in respect of his personal conduct which concern his relations with the State and its inhabitants; the litigants, the practitioners of law in his court, the witnesses and the officers and attendants who assist him in the administration of justice. That’s why the old legal maxim (principle) that man shall not be a judge in his own cause is one of the heralded tenets of judicial conduct and practice. This is because there cannot be a fair trial where the magistrate or judge has an interest in a case, which is due for his determination.   The spirit of these English legal principles are also captured by our constitution which expressly provides in Article 15(1) that a person accused of an offence must be afforded a fair hearing by an independent and impartial court. These principles are very strictly applied and the smallest legal or pecuniary interest will disqualify a judicial officer (judge or magistrate) from adjudicating in matter or case before the court. If there is such an interest then it’s incumbent upon such a judicial officer to declare such interest and decline jurisdiction. A judge should also disqualify himself if he has any substantial pecuniary relation with a party, even if that relation is not directly at issue in the case. This is the reason why courts of law have stated that where there is a real likelihood that a judge would, from kindred or any other cause have a bias in favour of one of the parties, it would be very wrong for him to act.   The other important matter which has to be known when issues of bias come afore is where the possible interest or bias is not pecuniary. At what stage should a judge or magistrate disqualify himself? The courts have held that it is a question of degree that is, whether the position or relationship between a judge and party involved in the case is such that it gives rise to a reasonable suspicion of bias in reasonable minds.   Although its not possible say, for a magistrate to disqualify himself from trying all members of his clan, it would at the same time be very unwise of him/her to try a case involving a friend. Justice Odoki has further stated that a judge or magistrate should not accept gifts and or favours from litigants and advocates appearing before him. He must discourage corruption and bribery as practices, which compromise the fair and proper administration of justice.   Of course, there are arguments that the paltry pay offered to judges, magistrates, and prosecutors is one of the factors that has led to the increasing cases of alleged corruption in the judiciary. This imbalance in the salary structures, which are far below those offered in donor -funded jobs, for instance, needs the urgent attention of government. However, this does not vacate the need for independence and impartiality of a magistrate or judge, which requires him to observe a strict code of conduct in private and public life. He should not be swayed by partisan demands, public clamour or considerations of personal popularity or gain. And because of the high office they hold, judges are also expected to be choosy when they are out for social intercourse. They (judges) are expected to avoid such relations or contacts which might be taken or tend to raise suspicion that their social or business relations or friends influence their judicial conduct or lower their image before the public. And the sacred nature of judicial conduct could not have been captured any better than the words of Lord Devlin; “ there is another factor to be considered and that is the courts’ duty to conduct their proceedings so as to command the respect and confidence of the public. The court of law is a temple of justice; and the advocate at the bar as well as the judge at the bench is equally a minister in the temple. The object of all equally should be the attainment of justice. So, how are errant judges or magistrates dealt with under our justice system? The provisions of Article 144 of the constitution of Uganda come in handy. A judicial officer who are, the Chief Justice, deputy Chief Justice, the Principal judge, a justice of the supreme court, a justice of Appeal or a judge of the High Court can only be removed by the president if the question of his or her removal has been referred to a tribunal for either misbehavior or misconduct, incompetence or inability to perform duties due to infirmity of body or mind. The removal however has to be in accordance with the provisions of articles 28 and 42 among others, which provide for a right to a fair hearing and a right to just and fair treatment in administrative decisions. It should also be noted that other than removing errant judges and magistrates from office, the judiciary has instituted a couple of administrative measures to guard against professional misconduct and out right corruption. According to the Chief Registrar of Courts of Judicature, in one of the interactions between members of the  bar and the bench has articulated that  one of such measures are the peer committees, which have been set up at all, levels in the judiciary to be on a look-out for the wrongdoers.   The Judicial Service Commission and the Office of the  Chief Registrar have also been equally empowered by various legal instruments to deal with errant judicial officers. The writer is a journalist and advocate msserwanga@gmail.com

 

Batul Sabunwala An Indian National Together With Her Husband Have Been Arrested And Charged In Nakawa Court For Practicing Architecture Without Valid License and Illegal Construction

Batul Sabunwala, of Mystique Design studio, an Indian notoriously known in  Kampala for  illegal Architectural practice  and undertaking construction works from unsuspecting Ugandans while putting the lives of many at risk  has been  arrested  and  charged at Nakawa magistrates court .

Batul Sabunwala together with her husband Hakimudoin Sabunwala  were arraigned before the Senior Principal Magistrate ,Sabula Nambwozo and charged with the offences of conducting  building operations without  a building permit contrary to section 33 (1) and (2) of the Building  Control Act Cap 126  and deviations from approved plan, drawing -contrary to  Regulation 42 (1) (b) of the Building  Control Regulations  of 2020.

Batul Tinwala Sabunwala charged for practicing Architeture without a valid license

The two accused appeared in court while hiding under an umbella even when it was not raining and wore masks to hide their faces .

State Attorney , Mahatima Odongo who led the prosecution told court that Batul Sabunwala aged 36 and Hakimudoin Sabunwala aged  43 years , residents of Bukasa  Muyenga Makindye  Division  in Kampala District , between 2024 and  2025 at Naguru Nakawa Division without a valid  building permit , intentionally  constructed a storeyed  house at plot 63 Katalima road Naguru.

Batul Tinwala Sabunwala charged for practicing Architeture without a valid license

Prosecutor Odongo further told court that the two accused persons between the same period undertook construction works  under  their company  Mystique Developers Limited , willfully and unlawfully  deviated from the approved building plan without approval  of the Building  Committee as provided for in the law.

Although ,both the accused denied the charges while taking plea before the magistrate ,  Batul Sabungwala  was denied a  licence and rejected by the Architect Registration Board and Uganda Society of Architects due to technical incompetence, along with her husband Mr. Hakim Sabunwala.

In a New Vision newspaper public notice , dated  October 1,  2026, the Architects Registration Board (ARB) stated that Batul Tinwala Sabunwala  was holding herself out as a ‘registered’ Architect and yet she was not licenced and authorized to practice architecture in Uganda.

The ARB furthure stated that pursuant to the provisions of the Architects Registration Act , only persons duly registered and licenced by the Architects Registration Board are authorized to practice architecture or offer architecture services in Uganda .

Hakimudoin Sabunwala charged for illegal construction

“Members of the public are advised to verify the registration status of persons claiming to be architects with the architects Registration Board before engaging them for Architectural work,” ARB stated in the public notice.

The arrest and subsequent charges brought against Batul Tinwala Sabunwala show the dangers posed by such illegal Architects and fake contractors which is a big  risk for buildings safety and if not taken seriously, Kampala would end up with more buildings collapsing , killing and injuring people.

Sources said Batul Sabunwala - a dependent foreign national has been taking money from unsuspecting general public claiming to be a licensed architecture and illegally giving construction jobs to her husband – a family member which is also illegal according to the Architecture law that bars architects from hiring their next of kin.

The ARB has since warned the general public to be on the lookout for such illegal, unlicensed architects and fake contractors and report them to the relevant authorities to save lives.

Editor;msserwanga@gmail.com

 

King Oyo, Once World’s Youngest Monarch Buried At Tooro’Kingdom’s Karambi Royal Tombs , Queen Mother Reveals Monarch’s Final Moments

 Shortly before 4pm the much loved King of Tooro , Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV (34) who succumbed to brain cancer on August 24, 2026 has been buried following tradition at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal city .

King Oyo made global headlines in 1995 when he took the throne at age 3. Images of the toddler ​king donning a crown and royal robes sparked curiosity and adoration around the world.

Queen mother Best Kemigisa comfortated by her friend and Queen of Buganda Sylvia Nagginda Luswata during the funeral in Fort Portal

At tombs was the new King elect , Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma (56) was expected to drop nine coffee berries into the grave under the guidance of of the Omusuna , the traditional chief priest charged with burying Tooro’s monarches .

The late King Oyo ‘s casket, draped in the blue-and-yellow Tooro flag, was driven from the royal palace ⁠to St. John’s Cathedral for a ceremony before hundreds of mourners, including senior Ugandan government officials and delegations from chiefdoms in neighbouring countries.

“Although he became king and carried responsibilities far beyond what most people ever experience, he never completely lost the young boy who loved to have fun,” said his sister, Ruth Komuntale, in her eulogy.

During the memorial funeral service the Queen Mother Best Kemigisa , said the late King Oyo died from angiosarcoma, a rare and highly aggressive form of cancer that develops in the lining of blood and lymph vessels.

During his funeral service at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal City, details from the Kemigisa were officially shared by Tooro Kingdom Chief of Protocol Guma Komwiswa, detailing the King’s hidden medical journey.

King Oyo first began experiencing persistent, unexplained pain in July 2025. He initially brushed it off, believing the discomfort was simply due to his intensive physical workouts.

When the pain wouldn’t go away, King Oyo sought medical care at The Surgery in Naguru, Kampala. An X-ray was performed but failed to find the source of the pain.

A PET scan performed at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi finally revealed that he was battling angiosarcoma. Because it took months to diagnose, the aggressive cancer had already metastasized and spread to multiple vital organs.

Upon learning of the diagnosis, Queen Mother Best Kemigisa immediately briefed President Yoweri Museveni, prompting the Ugandan government to fund specialized treatment abroad.

The King was flown to Germany and later to the United States. According to his sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, the specialized therapies initially caused the cancer cells to shrink dramatically, giving the family temporary hope as he regained energy.

King Oyo strictly commanded that his medical battle remain entirely private to protect his subjects, instructing officials to state he was in the U.S. for studies and official duties. He remained coherent and communicative until his health abruptly failed on August 27, 2026. Doctors placed him on life support, but he was pronounced dead at 2:00 PM U.S. time at the age of 34.

In her emotional address, the Queen Mother expressed the deep agony she faced, revealing that she repeatedly begged God to take her life instead of her son’s, before appealing to the people of Tooro to remain unified amid growing succession tensions.

The queen mother called for peace in Tooro Kingdom and prayed that the late Omukama’s legacy of championing environment protection and skilling the youth for job and creation be maintained .

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kazimba ​Mugalu, called for unity within the royal family. “Words spoken in grief can cause pain, division and conflict,” he ​told mourners. “It can even ⁠destroy the legacy of the king we are mourning.”

President Museveni Receives King Oyo’s Remains At Entebbe Airport Says Queen Mother Told Him About Monarch Treatment Abroad In February

By Moses Sserwanga

 President Yoweri Museveni has today mid-morning received the remains of King Oyo at Enetbbe International Airport and told the country that he was first infomred about the 34- year old mondarch’s illness in November 2025 and later in February during the presidential campaigns when he offered to have him flown to Germany for treatment .

Museveni laid a wreath while paying tribute to the fallen king and called on the people of Tooro to remain calm and allow a dignified- 9 day mourning period and burial on September 12th at Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal , Kabarole district .

At Entebbe Airport , Museveni was joined by Tooro Kingdom officials who included the 59 year old Queen Mother, Best Kemigisa, the late King Oyo’s 90 year old paternal aunt Princess Elizabeth Bagaya , and 36 year old sister Princess Ruth Komuntale, other members of the Royal Family, cabinent ministers , religious leaders , relatives, friends and other dignitaries .

“He was a gentleman and did a lot of good work for his kingdom at a tender age . He also had a good relationship with the central government which is commendable . I commiserate with the family and the Batoro for the loss of their king,” Museveni stated .

The body was later flown by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) helicopter flight AF-625 to Humura Primary School playground in Kyegegwa District, from where it be transported by road to Fort Portal in Tooro Kingdom.

King Oyo, died on August 27 at the age of 34, in Dallas Texas USA where he was being treated for advanced cancer . King Oyo assumed the throne at the age of three in 1995 – following the death of his father, King Patrick David Matthew Rwamuhokya Kaboyo Olimi III.

Oyo was the second-born child of the late Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Olimi III and Queen Best Kemigisa Kaboyo, with two sisters. He was born on April 16, 1992. Oyo’s two sisters are Princess Ruth Nsemere Komuntale and the late Princess Cecilia Komukyeya.

Princess Komukyeya King Oyo’s younger sister passed away from leukemia in October 1997 at the age of four.

He attended Aga Khan Primary School in Kampala and later Kampala International School Uganda before pursuing a degree in Business Management at the University of Winchester in the United Kingdom.

King Oyo, who Guinness World Records listed as the world’s youngest reigning monarch, ruled over more than two million people. He was the 13th monarch of a kingdom that was founded in the early 19th Century.

The Tooro Kingdom follows a hereditary system in selecting its monarch.

Oyo was not officially married, but President Museveni said that he was told by the Queen Mother Kemigisa that he had left a son and therefore , “the continuity of the Crown is assured”.

When he became king in 1995 a regency, which included the queen mother, and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveniwas established until Oyo turned 18 when there was an official coronation.

Oyo’s mother was among his key advisers in his younger years, as was President Museveni, who attended his coming-of-age 18th birthday party in 2010 in Fort Portal.

Oyo was known as a lover of sports, and a fan of London football club Arsenal.

He took interest in causes including HIV prevention, environmental conservation, tourism and climate change, for instance when he embarked on a hiking expedition in the Rwenzori Mountains in 2022 to try to showcase Uganda’s tourism potential and the risks of climate change.

President Museveni has since granted at official burial for the much loved departed King Oyo.

Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com

E-Bus Xpress Operations Launched In Kira Municipality With 21 Kayoola Electric Buses

 

Fares will start from as low as UGX 800 for adults and UGX 400 for students, depending on the distance travelled

 

By Moses Sserwanga

E-Bus Xpress operations have been launched in Kira Municipality, with pomp marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards a modern, efficient, safe, accessible and sustainable public transport system in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) .

At a colourful event presided over by the Minister of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs , Hajjat Minsa Kabanda , E- Bus Xpress- (EBX) a subsidiary of Uganda’s green mobility industry captains Kiira Motors Corporation , (KMC) has deployed an additional 21 new Kayoola electric buses which were flagged-off for the new- modern – green mobility service that  will connect growing residential communities to the  Ntinda hub and Kampala, with three dedicated feeder routes which will include ; Ntinda – Najjera – Kira – Kitukutwe – Kiwologoma – Nakwero; Ntinda – Naalya – Kyaliwajjala – Namugongo – Sonde and Ntinda – Kisasi – Kyanja – Kungu.

Each route will have 5 buses connecting passengers with scheduled services, air conditioned buses, onboard Wi-Fi, modern safety features and cashless payments.

Others who joined Minister Kabanda to witness the historic moment were   her colleague, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovations (STI) Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki. the Kiira Municipality Mayor , Mr. Allan Bulamu , the Wakiso LCV Chairman Mr. Ian Kyeyune , the E-Bus Xpress Board of Governors Chairman ,Dr. Freddie Emmanuel Mugunga, the E-Bus  Xpress, Managing Director (MD) Eng. Ian Jon Kavuma , Mr. Ibrahim Senyonga ,the General Manager for  Enterprise Business United (EBU) at MTN –Uganda, Eng JacobEng. Jacob Byamukama ,the Deputy Director for Roads Management (and Deputy Director of Transport and Roads Management) at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Mr. Isaac Musasizi the CEO Kiira Motors Corporation .

Minister Kabanda said the new green mobility services which started in Jinja City and are now being rolled out in the Capital City Kampala, demonstrates the confidence that the Uganda Government is placing in electric mobility as part of the future of urban transportation.

“For the people of Kira, today's launch means more than additional buses on the road. It means greater connectivity, more reliable mobility and a cleaner and more dignified public transport experience. What we are witnessing today has implications for Kampala, Kira and Uganda as a whole.

 Our cities are growing, our population is increasing, and the demand for mobility is expanding. We must therefore, build a transport system that is not only capable of moving people, but one that supports economic activity, protects the environment and improves the quality of life of our citizens,” Minister Kabanda told a big excited audience.

The minister noted that Kiira Motors Corporation represents Uganda's ambition to build a strong domestic automotive industry and demonstrates that we can manufacture modern, high-quality and environmentally responsible vehicles here at home.

E-Bus Xpress Kiira Ltd, on the other hand, Kabanda said, is taking that locally manufactured technology into our communities and putting it to work in addressing one of the country’s - most pressing urban challenges - public transportation.

“This is the connection between manufacturing and service delivery, between innovation and practical solutions, and between the vision of industrialisation and the everyday lives of Ugandans,” she stated.

The significance of the E-Bus Xpress initiative that will cover all the major cities in Uganda, goes beyond the buses themselves.

It is about creating employment and developing skills. It is about supporting local value chains. It is about embracing digital technology through cashless payments, connectivity and telematics. It is about improving safety and the passenger experience. Most importantly, it is about demonstrating that Uganda can develop solutions to its own challenges using its own people, institutions and industries.

Kabanda said the green mobility service is consistent with the national development priorities and the country’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. It is also aligned with the vision for a modern, integrated and efficient transport system for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, as envisaged under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Multi-Modal Urban Transport Master Plan.

This particular vision seeks to improve public transport across Kampala and the surrounding municipalities, providing more efficient mobility, reducing congestion and supporting the transformation of Kampala into a modern and smart city.

The E-Bus Xpress ,MD, Eng. Kavuma ,said the expanded green mobility service will offer passengers in Kiira Municipality scheduled, professional operations; clean, air-conditioned buses fitted with modern comfort, connectivity and safety features; and a safer, more dignified and affordable travel experience.

Kavuma explained that because the E-bus Xpress fleet is fully electric, every journey is completed with zero tailpipe emissions, contributing directly to cleaner air and healthier communities across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

He said that the service is also built around convenience and transparency in how passengers pay their fares.

“Our cashless payment ecosystem includes Mobile Money, through MTN MoMo and Airtel Money merchant and USSD codes, for the everyday mobile-money user; a reusable Transport Card for corporate clients and the general public, offering the shortest payment journey; a Smart Wristband designed specifically for primary and secondary school pupils, powered by an integrated multi- network platform on *272*80#; and the EBX Connect App, giving smartphone users on both Android and iOS convenient access to fare payment and related services,” Kavuma added .

The Mayor of Kira municipality , Allan Bulamu ,welcomed the E-mobility solutions being introduced by E-bus - noting that Uganda needs to continuously think about the future of public transport systems which should be clean , smart , timely and sustainable .

“Our country should not be left behind by the rest of the world in adopting clean mobility technologies . We need electric buses and trains for our cities to reduce pollution and the time people spend traveling which will ultimately improve the quality of life and increase  productivity of people in the cities and urban centers,” Bulamu argued.

The Mayor called for the integration of transport networks across the Kampala Metropolitan Area so that E-Bus Express services can connect with rail, road and other modes of transport to create a seamless passenger transport system.

He further  called for the implementation of plans to provide dedicated bus lanes, designated stages, passenger shelters and other facilities, while ensuring that the infrastructure is safe and accessible to the public.

Bulamu cautioned against excluding existing taxi operators from the new transport developments, urging authorities to ensure that they are incorporated into the evolving public transport system.

Eng. Jacob Byamukama, the Deputy Director of Transport and Roads Management at  KCCA, said the electric buses would improve the passenger travel experience while contributing to the reduction of traffic congestion in the city. 

However, he acknowledged that operating a bus system in the centre of Kampala would be challenging because the city currently has no dedicated bus lanes, forcing buses to compete for road space with other forms of traffic.

E-Bus Express Board Chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Freddie Mugunga urged the Minister for Kampala and other authorities to allocate additional routes to the company, saying it is ready to deploy 100 buses across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area before the end of the year. 

He said the company ultimately plans to deploy up to 1,000 electric buses across major cities in Uganda by 2030.

Speaking at the launch of the Kira Municipality routes, Ibrahim Senyonga, General Manager of the Enterprise Business Unit (EBU) at MTN Uganda, said MTN would provide the cashless payment system, allowing passengers to pay their fares without carrying physical cash.

He added that MTN had also deployed internet services on the buses and would work to ensure uninterrupted connectivity as much as possible.

The launch of the new routes follows what the company describes as a successful pilot and rollout project in the Jinja area, which began in November 2024.

The service introduced daily electric bus transport along the Jinja–Iganga and Jinja–Nakibizi corridors using a fully cashless payment system.

According to the company, the service initially transported about 300,000 passengers during the early stages of the rollout and has since carried about 3.5 million passengers, demonstrating strong commuter demand despite operating a fleet of only seven buses.

The event was also attended by two other E-Bus Xpress board members, Thatcher Nakimuli Mpanga and Moses Witta Mbubi.

Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com