By Jim Ainomugisha/Guest Writer
As Hon. Justice Frederick Martin Stephen Egonda-Ntende prepares to retire on 26th May 2026, Uganda is saying goodbye to one of its greatest judges ever. For more than 40 years, he has stood for truth, fairness, honesty, and strong protection of the Constitution.
He is known in Uganda and around the world as a brave and clean judge who always protected ordinary people from those in power. Justice Egonda-Ntende has written many important judgments that protect human rights and make the law fairer for everyone.
Here are some of his key rulings: 1. In Salvatori Abuki v Attorney General (1997), he stopped the old punishment of banishment. Poor people accused of witchcraft were being chased from their homes and villages. He ruled that every Ugandan has the right to live in their home with dignity. 2. In Osotraco Ltd v Attorney General (2002), he made it clear that the government cannot escape responsibility when it causes harm or loss to citizens. He reminded leaders that the law applies to the State too.
3. In Tinyefuza v Attorney General (1996), he defended basic freedoms in the Constitution and showed that even strong institutions must follow the Constitution and respect people’s rights. 4. In the Susan Kigula & 417 Others v Attorney General case, he helped make decisions that challenged unfair death penalty laws and strengthened the right to a fair trial and human dignity.
5. In Fredrick Kato v Ann Njoki (2009), he removed a discriminatory old law from colonial times. The law stopped many Africans from taking divorce cases to the High Court. He ruled it was unfair and against equality, opening the courts to more people.
6. In In Re Nicholas Mwanje and Brenda Nakidde (2009), he put the welfare of children first. He allowed an adoption that helped the children even when some rules were not fully met. This later helped change the law to make adoptions easier for children’s best interests.
7. He helped strike down parts of the Anti-Pornography Act because unclear laws can be misused to violate people’s freedoms and privacy. 8. He defended the right of every person to have a lawyer, even in Small Claims Courts, so that everyone gets a fair hearing.
9. He fought against torture, abuse of power, unlawful detention, and any actions that break human rights. He joined decisions that made police officers and state agents personally responsible for violating people’s rights. 10. He ruled that constitutional cases need a full panel of judges, not just one, to stop abuse of the systems. Last year, he spoke out strongly against delays in constitutional cases.
He warned that “justice delayed is justice denied” and raised concerns about weakening protection of rights like bail in lower courts. Justice Egonda-Ntende did much more than judge cases. -He helped build Uganda’s digital legal system. He supported the creation of the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII), which makes court decisions available online for free so everyone can access the law. -He also pushed for electronic case management to reduce delays.
-He taught law at Makerere University and served as Chairperson of the Judicial Training Committee. -Internationally, he worked with the United Nations in Kosovo and East Timor. -He served as Chief Justice of Seychelles from 2009 to 2014, where he cleared big case backlogs and rebuilt public trust in the courts. Justice Egonda-Ntende is one of the best because he always put justice above fear or favour.
He used the Constitution to fix old unfair laws, protect the weak, and hold the powerful accountable. His work showed deep understanding of human rights, equality, and the best interests of children. He leaves behind a strong legacy of fairness, courage, and excellence. Over 40 years of dedicated service, I wish him a peaceful and joyful retirement ahead. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
