The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has dismissed two high-ranking Ugandan judicial officers for misconduct following serious breaches of professional conduct. The dismissed individuals are Masaka Deputy Registrar Cissy Mudhasi Kawuma and Chief Magistrate Ruth Nabaasa, whose actions have been deemed to have violated judicial ethics and legal procedures.
Cissy Mudhasi, formerly the Deputy Registrar of Masaka High Court, was dismissed for abusing her judicial authority. According to the JSC, Mudhasi ordered the attachment of bank accounts belonging to Makerere University, Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, and a private individual without following the proper legal process. She also defied the Chief Justice’s directives during the COVID-19 suspension period by entertaining execution proceedings.
In 2020, Mudhasi was accused of conspiring with lawyers and a company director to defraud Makerere University of 3.5 billion shillings. During her tenure, she issued ex parte court orders to seize funds from the University’s Stanbic bank account in order to satisfy a non-existent arbitral award in favor of a company, RAM Engineering Uganda Limited. This action, taken without verifying whether the University owed the company, sparked an investigation.
Mudhasi’s conduct not only endangered the interests of her employer but also tarnished the reputation of Uganda’s judicial service. The dismissal paves the way for continued investigations into these allegations, especially as she had previously secured a temporary injunction halting inquiries into her alleged fraud
Chief Magistrate Ruth Nabaasa has also been dismissed for abusing her judicial authority. Nabaasa entertained a case outside her jurisdiction, disregarding orders from a High Court Judge to ascertain the value of properties in question before proceeding. The JSC found that this was a clear violation of legal protocols and undermined the integrity of her position.
The dismissals of Mudhasi and Nabaasa are part of a broader effort by the JSC to maintain judicial integrity. On May 17, 2023, Rakai Court Grade One Magistrate Latif Abubaker Nakibinge was also dismissed for financial misconduct. Nakibinge had withdrawn money from the Court’s Operation Fund Account, which was meant for a civil suit, but failed to hand it over to the proper party.
Additionally, Chief Magistrate Moses Kule Lubangula was severely reprimanded for presiding over a matter beyond his jurisdiction and granting ex parte orders without due procedure. Lubangula’s actions, deemed a violation of Uganda’s Code of Judicial Conduct, raised concerns about abuse of power within the judicia
These recent decisions by the JSC underline its commitment to upholding judicial standards in Uganda. The dismissals and reprimands serve as a stern reminder of the importance of maintaining ethical conduct and legal integrity within the judiciary. The JSC’s actions signal a renewed focus on accountability, aiming to restore public trust in the country’s legal system.
As investigations into these cases continue, the Judicial Service Commission is expected to remain vigilant in addressing misconduct and reinforcing the rule of law.
