AGAGO, Uganda — Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoyi Owiny-Dollo recently hosted a profound thanksgiving ceremony, commemorating his life, health, and extensive contributions to the nation.
The event, held on Saturday at Akwee Primary School Grounds in Patongo Town Council, Agago district, brought together a diverse assembly of hundreds of dignitaries, religious leaders, cultural representatives, government officials, and members of the Acholi community, all gathered to honor one of northern Uganda’s most distinguished figures.
Born in Agago District, Justice Owiny-Dollo’s remarkable career saw him ascend through the ranks of legal practice and politics.
He served as a Member of Parliament in the early 1990s, played a pivotal role in the drafting of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, and held esteemed positions as a Constitutional Court judge and Deputy Chief Justice before ultimately assuming the role of Chief Justice in 2020.
Religious leaders from various denominations lauded his unwavering integrity, profound humility, and steadfast devotion to justice. Archbishop Raphael Wokorach p’Mony of Gulu Archdiocese led a special prayer, seeking continued wisdom for the Chief Justice in his service to God and the nation.
Archbishop Wokorach also acknowledged the Chief Justice’s consistent support for the church, highlighting his construction of St. Matthew Catholic Chapel in Aloi as a gesture that has significantly strengthened the faith of many in the area.
Eng. Hilary Onek, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, characterized Owiny-Dollo as an exceptionally intelligent individual whose appointment to the Chief Justice position has ushered in significant transformation within the judicial system.
Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo expressed his gratitude to President Museveni for increasing the Judiciary’s budget, a move he credited with bolstering the judiciary on multiple fronts.
“You have thanked me for transforming the Judiciary, but it is the President who made it possible,” Owiny-Dollo said. He also committed to continuing his efforts to assist the populace even after his retirement, which is anticipated in six months.
In his concluding remarks, President Yoweri Museveni extended his congratulations to Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo, attributing his rise and success to his adherence to truth.
President Museveni recounted that during the height of the Alice Lakwena and LRA insurgencies, Owiny-Dollo remained steadfast, refusing to be swayed by the tribal animosity propagated by those who claimed that he [Museveni] harbored hatred for the Acholi people.
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“Kony was lying to the people of Northern Uganda that NRM hates them, but Hon. Justice Alfonse is among those who saw the truth, and that is perhaps why we have worked together all these years,” President Museveni stated.
He further commended the Chief Justice for championing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which has been instrumental in localizing and simplifying access to justice, contrasting it with the “childish and unserious” judiciary they inherited decades ago.
This thanksgiving ceremony takes place as the Ugandan judiciary undergoes significant reforms aimed at enhancing access to justice, reducing case backlogs, and modernizing court operations—a mission that Justice Owiny-Dollo has passionately spearheaded since assuming office.
