The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has raised concerns over the appointment of justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi as deputy chief justice and Agnes Alum as chief registrar of the judiciary.
In a statement issued by ULS vice president Anthony Asiimwe, the lawyers’ body said the appointments were made while constitutional challenges regarding the legality of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) remain unresolved.
Asiimwe said that although the ULS does not oppose the filling of key judicial vacancies, the appointments could face legal challenges because Constitutional Petition No. 11 of 2025 and Constitutional Application No. 12 of 2025 are still pending before the Constitutional court.
“These matters directly challenge the legality of the composition and operations of the Judicial Service Commission, the constitutionality of the Judicial Service Act as amended, the 2025 Judicial Service Regulations, and the validity of all recruitment and appointment processes flowing therefrom,” Asiimwe said.
The ULS argues that the current composition and operations of the JSC contravene Article 146 of the Constitution because the commission allegedly lacks duly nominated representatives from the Uganda Law Society.
“We call upon the court to expedite the hearing and determination of the aforementioned constitutional matters, as well as Civil Appeals 98 and 99 of 2025, which were arbitrarily removed from the Court of Appeal cause list in July 2025, delaying the election of ULS nominees to the JSC,” Asiimwe said.
“Until these matters are resolved, any appointments made risk being tainted by the very defects complained of, thereby eroding public confidence in the judiciary and exposing the appointees to unnecessary legal challenge,” he added.
According to the lawyers’ body, any recommendations made by the JSC without ULS representation risk being declared null and void.
The ULS further warned that proceeding with senior judicial appointments before the constitutional questions are determined undermines judicial legitimacy, constitutionalism and public confidence in the judiciary.
The society also urged the Constitutional court to urgently hear and determine the pending constitutional matters together with Civil Appeals 98 and 99 of 2025, which it said were removed from the Court of Appeal cause list in July 2025, delaying the election of ULS nominees to the JSC.
ULS maintained that it remains committed to defending judicial independence, merit-based appointments and constitutionalism.