By Aggrey Baba
“Deciding a presidential election petition is one of the hardest tasks any judge can face,” said Bart Katureebe, former Chief Justice of Uganda, as he shared his reflections on his career in the judiciary. In an exclusive interview on Tuesday, with journalist Nelson Kiva, Katureebe, who retired five years ago after serving as Chief Justice from 2015 to June, 2020 spoke candidly about the challenges he faced, including the intense 2016 presidential election petition, and his life after retirement.
From his time navigating complex constitutional matters to his current work in mediation and arbitration, Katureebe’s insights into Uganda’s legal and political landscape offer a unique perspective on the country’s journey.
Reflecting on his time as Chief Justice, Katureebe described the 2016 presidential election petition as the most difficult moment in his career. Handling presidential election petitions and constitutional issues, he said, is inherently challenging due to the deep political divisions and differing views within the country. “It was a tough moment, but it was part of the job. As a judge, you must make decisions that uphold the law, even when emotions run high,” Katureebe said.
Katureebe also spoke about the political situation in Uganda today. While he expressed satisfaction in seeing improvements like more children in schools and better healthcare facilities, he also expressed concern over incidents of violence and lawlessness that continue to worry him. “When I see people taking the law into their own hands, it’s deeply troubling. We must work harder to maintain peace and order,” he said.
Despite the challenges of his former role, Katureebe emphasized the importance of his work in reforming Uganda’s judiciary. One of his proudest achievements, he shared, was improving the retirement benefits for judges. “Judges work hard, and they deserve to have a secure future after retirement. I’m proud that we were able to secure this for all judges,” he said.
Additionally, Katureebe highlighted the construction of a new home for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, which he initiated during his tenure. “The home for the judiciary was long overdue, and I’m glad we made it a reality. It was an important step in strengthening the independence and dignity of the judiciary,” he explained.
Life in retirement, Katureebe said, has allowed him more time to spend with his family, especially his grandchildren. “Retirement has been peaceful. I now have more time to enjoy my family and work on personal projects,” he noted. He also runs a mediation and arbitration firm, contributing his wealth of legal knowledge to resolve disputes outside the courtroom.
Katureebe also shared his thoughts on the future of Uganda and Africa. Drawing inspiration from African leaders like Sam Nujoma and Kwame Nkrumah, he called for stronger unity and self-reliance across the continent. “We have vast resources, both human and natural. If we use them wisely, we can build a stronger Africa,” he said. “Our leaders should strive for unity and work together to achieve the dreams of our founding fathers.”
As he reflects on his decades-long career and life after retirement, Katureebe remains a vital voice in Uganda’s legal and political spheres, offering valuable insights on the challenges ahead for the nation. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
