In a significant judicial development, Flavian Zeija has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Justice of Uganda, effective February 2025.
The announcement, made on Thursday evening, marked a major transition in Uganda’s judiciary, with Zeija replacing Justice Richard Buteera, who is set to retire in April after reaching the age of 70.
Zeija’s appointment is part of a broader reshuffling within Uganda’s judicial system, which also saw the promotion of eight Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court justices, a Supreme Court justice, and the appointment of 21 new judges to the High Court in an acting capacity.
Until his appointment as Deputy Chief Justice, Zeija served as the Principal Judge of the High Court, a position he held since December 2019. His career in Uganda’s judiciary has been marked by a distinguished record in law, both as a practicing attorney and in his judicial capacity. With his new role, Zeija will help guide the future of Uganda’s judicial system, overseeing a range of important legal proceedings and decisions that impact both the public and legal structures in the country.
Born on February 18, 1969, Zeija brings decades of experience to the position. A graduate of Makerere University, Uganda’s oldest and largest public university, Zeija holds an LLB, an LLM, and a PhD in Law. He also holds an MBA from Uganda Martyrs University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. His legal expertise has been built not only through academic credentials but also through a long history of practice, teaching, and leadership in Uganda’s legal community.
Before his appointment to the High Court, Zeija gained experience working as a legal assistant at Kwesigabo, Bamwine, Walubiri & Company Advocates in Kampala and as a legal manager at Tropical Africa Bank. He later served as the managing partner at Zeija, Mukasa & Company Advocates, and held various legal roles in FINCA Uganda Limited and the Uganda Christian University and Makerere University law faculties.
Zeija’s judicial career took a major leap when he was appointed to the High Court of Uganda in 2016. He was assigned to the Mbarara High Court Circuit, the largest judicial circuit in Uganda, and later served in his capacity as Principal Judge. During this time, Zeija became well known for his fair and balanced judgments, such as his ruling in the case of Kalemera H. Kimera vs Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi II, in which he emphasized the inheritance rights under Ugandan law.
Despite his success, Zeija has faced some controversies during his tenure. In recent years, he has been accused of interference in several high-profile cases, including accusations from prominent lawyers and litigants regarding his withdrawal of files from other judges. Notably, in 2020, businessman Hamis Kiggundu petitioned the Judicial Service Commission, accusing Zeija of misconduct in his case against Diamond Trust Bank. These allegations raised concerns regarding his judicial independence and impartiality.
Despite these challenges, Zeija’s appointment to the position of Deputy Chief Justice represents a high point in his career. As Deputy Chief Justice, Zeija will take on a critical role in the oversight and administration of Uganda’s judiciary, helping to shape the future of legal practice and public justice. His appointment also leaves the position of Principal Judge vacant, which is expected to be filled soon.
As the new Deputy Chief Justice, Zeija will play a pivotal role in Uganda’s legal landscape and in shaping the future of judicial proceedings across the country. His appointment comes at a time when the country’s judicial system is grappling with both internal challenges and growing demands for transparency and reform.
