In Uganda, the transfer of a High Court judge from an urban court to a rural one is often seen as a sign of demotion or displeasure in legal circles.
This was the case in 2016 when Justice Yorokamu Bamwine, then Principal Judge, transferred Justice Wilson Masalu Musene, the head of the Criminal Division in Kampala, to Mpigi District, and replaced him with Justice Wilson Kwesiga.
Justice Musene had controversially granted bail to Muhammed Ssebuwufu, who was later found guilty of killing businesswoman Betty Donah Katushabe, and his co-accused, Aaron Baguma.
Justice Musene had argued that Ssebuwufu deserved bail just like Baguma, who was released on bail after 10 days of remand, and that Ssebuwufu had a permanent residence and substantial sureties to compel his return to court.
However, Justice Musene’s transfer was also linked to a controversial judgment he delivered a month earlier.
In that case, Justice Musene found Sarah Nabikolo, the widow of a businessman who was hit by a car and killed, innocent of any involvement in the murder, but convicted her cousin Sandra Nakungu and policeman Jaden Ashraf of the crime.
The prosecution was disappointed with the judgment because it had argued that there was a “common intention” among the three to kill the businessman, and Justice Musene had either to acquit or convict all of them.
Would you like to get published on this Website? You can now email Uganda Times: an Opinion, any breaking news, Exposes, story ideas, human interest, articles, or any interesting videos: [email protected]. Or join the Ugandatimes WhatsApp Group or Telegram Channel for the latest updates
