Uganda Parliament Vets Nominees for Principal Judge and Leadership Code Tribunal

Kampala, Uganda: The Appointments Committee of the Ugandan Parliament convened today to vet Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo for her nomination as the country’s next Principal Judge, a pivotal role in overseeing the High Court and ensuring judicial administration across the nation. The committee also assessed nominees for the Chairperson and Members of the Leadership Code Tribunal, a body tasked with enforcing ethical conduct among public leaders. The proceedings, chaired by Speaker Anita Among, mark a critical step in the appointment process, with the committee’s report set to be submitted to the Appointing Authority in accordance with parliamentary rules.

If approved, Lady Justice Abodo would become Uganda’s first female Principal Judge, a significant milestone in a judicial system where women have historically been underrepresented. According to the Uganda Law Society’s 2023 data, women constitute only 34% of the country’s judges, highlighting the slow progress toward gender equity in high judicial offices. Abodo, who has served as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) since 2020, brings a wealth of experience, having previously risen through the ranks of the DPP’s office since 2007 and served as a High Court Justice in the Criminal Division from 2018 to 2020. Her nomination by President Yoweri Museveni, announced on August 31, 2025, follows Article 142(1) of the 1995 Constitution and awaits parliamentary approval.

Abodo’s career includes notable achievements, such as being named the Uganda Law Society’s best prosecutor of the year in 2015 for her office’s high conviction rates. She also presided over high-profile cases, including the manslaughter conviction of Godfrey Wamala Troy in the 2018 death of musician Mowzey Radio. Her potential elevation to Principal Judge has garnered mixed reactions, with some hailing it as a step toward judicial reform, while others question the independence of the vetting process.

In addition to Abodo’s nomination, the committee evaluated candidates for the Leadership Code Tribunal, established under Article 235A of the 1995 Constitution to adjudicate breaches of the Leadership Code of Conduct. This tribunal plays a crucial role in Uganda’s anti-corruption framework, a pressing concern given the country’s ranking of 142 out of 180 on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. The outcomes of these appointments could signal the government’s commitment to accountable leadership, though details about the nominees remain scarce pending the committee’s final report.

Speaker Among, in her post, emphasized the procedural nature of the vetting, stating that the committee’s recommendations would adhere to House rules. However, the polarized reactions underscore ongoing debates about the balance of power between Uganda’s executive and legislative branches, especially as Museveni, in power since 1986, continues to shape key appointments.