By Ben Musanje
Uganda’s legal community has erupted in unprecedented uproar following the appointment of Flavian Zeija as Chief Justice, with the Radical New Bar (RNB) Council declaring him a “global judicial pariah” and an active threat to the rule of law.
The announcement, made by Advocate Ssali Babu, Secretary of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), came under the authority of RNB Executive Order Number 7 of 2026. The lawyers accused Justice Zeija of being appointed through a hasty and non-transparent process that undermined the independence of the judiciary and violated foundational principles of constitutionalism, the rule of law, and judicial impartiality.
According to the RNB, the appointment process ignored basic safeguards, including public participation, disclosure of applicants, and proper recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission. The lawyers also noted that the commission itself had been irregularly constituted, with no representation from the ULS, rendering the process deeply flawed and casting doubt on the legitimacy of Zeija’s elevation.
The controversy intensified after Zeija’s early actions as Chief Justice, including the exclusion of ULS leadership from the ceremonial opening of the New Law Year on February 5, 2026. The RNB interpreted this as part of a pattern of hostility toward the independent bar and a sign that Zeija aligned more closely with executive authority than with the impartial administration of justice.
The lawyers further highlighted Zeija’s conduct while serving as Deputy Chief Justice, citing a 2025 letter in which he acknowledged directing the removal of four significant ULS appeals from the Court of Appeal. They argued this demonstrated a willingness to obstruct legal proceedings for personal or political benefit.
The RNB also raised concern about Zeija’s role in handling high-profile cases, including the rapid constitution of a Supreme Court panel for a presidential election petition, which was later withdrawn. Legal experts said this facilitated the President’s swearing-in while suppressing criticism, including prosecutions against individuals accused of disseminating “malicious information.” The lawyers saw these actions as evidence that the judiciary was being used to advance executive interests rather than safeguard constitutional rights.
In addition, the RNB criticized Zeija’s apparent threats during public addresses against individuals who voiced criticism online, arguing that this showed an unwillingness to accept public oversight and reinforced executive dominance over the judiciary.
The appointment ceremony itself drew widespread criticism. The swearing-in took place at President Yoweri Museveni’s private farm in Kisozi, rather than an official venue such as State House, which the RNB and observers interpreted as a symbolic alignment with the executive branch and a departure from proper judicial protocol. Legal commentators likened the timing and circumstances of the appointment to historically controversial judicial elevations that facilitated executive control, particularly amid the 2026 electoral cycle, which was marked by violence, arbitrary arrests, and military involvement.
The RNB Executive Order outlined sweeping measures to address the situation. Members of the Uganda Law Society were directed to maintain zero engagement with non-compulsory judicial processes and avoid any involvement that could legitimize judicial actions seen as politically compromised. The order declared that Zeija’s “judicial pariah” designation would remain in force until there was verifiable restoration of judicial independence.
Advocate Babu emphasized that the move was intended to protect justice, constitutionalism, and the autonomy of the judiciary, warning that the lawyers would not allow the courts to become tools for political power.
As Uganda watches these developments unfold, legal experts and civil society groups warned that the nation could be entering a new era of judicial crisis, with far-reaching consequences for democracy, governance, and the protection of human rights. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
