Uganda’s judiciary, through the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), has announced a call for applications from suitable and eligible citizens of Uganda to fill the vacant positions as High Court judges and Justices of Court of Appeal.
A notice by Dr. Rose Nassali Lukwago, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Judicial Service Commission, indicates that the deadline for applications is 5:00 PM of July 25, 2024.
Applicants will be required to attach on a duly completed Form 1 and documents in the following order: a copy of National ID, a passport size photograph, an up to date Curriculum Vitae (CV); names, contacts and letters of recommendation of two (2) Professional and two (2) Character referees; copies of academic certificates and transcripts certified by the issuing Institution.
Other documents are: a certified copy of the latest and complete Declaration of Income, Assets and Liabilities from the Inspectorate of Government for applicants in Judiciary Service and Public Service; and an applicants’ self-assessment declaration on competences whose details and format can be accessed at www[DOT]jsc[DOT]go[DOT]ug.
JUSTICE OF COURT OF APPEAL JOBS
The Judicial Service Commission will be hiring five Justices of Court of Appeal who will be reporting to the Deputy Chief Justice. A Justice of Court of Appeal’s key duty and responsibility will be to adjudicate cases within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal of Uganda in accordance with the Constitution.
Regarding minimum qualifications and working experience, applicants for the job of Justice of Court of Appeal should be in possession of an Ordinary Level, Certificate, Advanced Level Certificate, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree from a recognized University or Institution as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre or a recognized Institution.
Applicants should be or should have served as a Judge of the High Court or a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters or a Court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such Court or has practiced as an Advocate for a period not less than ten (10) years before a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in Civil and Criminal matters or is a distinguished jurist and an advocate of not less than ten years’ standing.
“For the above vacancy, any period during which a person has served as a Public Officer holding an office for which qualification for an advocate is required shall be taken into account in calculating the various period of practice required above,” explained Dr Nassali.
Dr Nassali added that any relevant advanced or post graduate qualification(s) and ICT qualification(s) as well as work experience will be an added advantage. She made it clear that a Certificate of Enrolment is a requirement.
The application Email for this position is jcoa2024[AT]jsc[DOT]go[DOT]ug.
HIGH COURT JUDGE JOBS
For the position of High Court Judge, the JSC has 12 vacancies to be filled. The 12 judges of the High Court will be reporting to the Principal Judge, currently Dr Flavian Zeija. A judge of the High Court will be responsible for adjudicating cases subject to the jurisdiction of the High Court of Uganda in accordance with the Constitution.
On the minimum qualifications and working experience, Dr Nassali noted that Applicants should be in possession of an Ordinary Level Certificate, Advanced Level Certificate, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree from a recognized University or Institution and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre or a recognized Institution.
Applicants should be or have been a Judge of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in Civil and Criminal matters or a Court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such Court or has practiced as an Advocate for a period not less than ten (10) years before a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters.
As is the case with the position of the Justices of Court of Appeal, any relevant advanced or post graduate qualification(s), ICT qualification(s) as well as work experience, continued Nassali in a job notice, will be an added advantage. A Certificate of Enrolment is a requirement, the notice further read.
“For the above vacancy, any period during which a person has served as a Public Officer holding an office for which qualification for an advocate is required shall be taken into account in calculating the various period of practice required above,” continued Dr Nassali, the secretary to the JSC.
“Applicants appointed to this position will act for a period of two (2) years before they are appointed in a substantive capacity upon performance evaluation being conducted.”
The application Email for the position of High Court Judge is hcj2024[AT]jsc[DOT]go[DOT]ug.
Permanent Secretary Nassali also specified seven terms and conditions that applicants must adhere to. According to the terms, applicants should apply for only one position on offer in the notice. JSC has warned that multiple applications by an applicant shall lead to disqualification.
Candidates are also required to submit or enclose only the specified documents as a single PDF document.
“An applicant who is not contacted by the commission should regard his or her application as unsuccessful,” noted Nassali, adding, “No applicant or his/her agent should contact any member, officer or staff of the commission. Canvassing by applicants or for and on behalf of applicants shall lead to automatic disqualification.”
Candidates have been advised not to pay money to anyone for any service relating to this recruitment process since the application process is free.
Applicants have also been advised to complete the Judicial Service Commission Form in typed letters as handwritten forms will not be accepted.
You can see the list of Most Highly Paid Officials in Uganda’s Judiciary and How Much They Earn Monthly, as well as the list of 25 most highly paid government employees in Uganda Here and There.
