Justice Flavian Zeija Appointed Uganda’s New Chief Justice.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Honourable Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija as the new Chief Justice of Uganda, ushering in a new chapter at the apex of the country’s judicial hierarchy following the retirement of Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo. The appointment signals continuity and renewal within the Judiciary at a time of institutional transition and heightened public scrutiny.

Announcing the development, Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon.Anita Among confirmed that the Appointments Committee had convened earlier Thursday to vet Justice Zeija, who was nominated by the President to assume the highest judicial office. She noted that the committee’s report would be transmitted to the appointing authority in accordance with Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, completing a critical constitutional step in the appointment process.Justice Owiny-Dollo officially retired on January 18, 2026, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70. A day later, he formally handed over office to the Deputy Chief Justice during a ceremony at the Supreme Court. His tenure, which began in August 2020, was widely associated with efforts to instill judicial discipline, strengthen collegiality, and advance reforms aimed at improving efficiency across the courts.

Justice Zeija ascends to the office with a distinguished profile that bridges legal practice, academia, and judicial administration. Born on February 18, 1969, in Western Uganda, he embarked on his legal education at Makerere University, earning a Bachelor of Laws in 1996 and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre the following year. His academic journey later expanded to include a Master of Laws, a PhD in Law from the University of Dar es Salaam, and an MBA from Uganda Martyrs University.

Enrolled as an advocate in 1998, Zeija built a reputable career in private legal practice, notably serving as managing partner at Zeija, Mukasa and Company Advocates. Alongside practice, he cultivated a strong academic footprint, lecturing at institutions such as Uganda Christian University and engaging in legal consultancy, a blend that sharpened his analytical depth and policy insight.His judicial career commenced in 2016 with appointment as a High Court judge, where he initially served as Resident Judge of the Mbarara High Court Circuit, one of Uganda’s busiest jurisdictions. Recognized for administrative acumen and decisiveness, he was elevated in December 2019 to Principal Judge, becoming the third-highest ranking judicial officer and assuming oversight of High Court operations and magistrates’ courts nationwide.

In February 2025, President Museveni appointed Zeija Deputy Chief Justice, a role in which he emphasized fidelity to the law, human-centred justice, and the need to modernize outdated legal practices, particularly in inheritance and land disputes. His tenure was marked by advocacy for access to justice and institutional responsiveness.Justice Zeija’s elevation to Chief Justice underscores President Museveni’s broader effort to consolidate judicial leadership amid generational change at the summit of the Judiciary. With deep administrative experience and a reformist outlook, he is widely expected to advance an agenda centered on efficiency, fairness, and renewed public confidence in Uganda’s justice system.

“Time is right to do what is right “