President Museveni on Thursday appointed Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo as the new Chief Justice, replacing Bart Katureebe who recently retired after clocking the recommended retirement age of 70.
Museveni also appointed Supreme Court Judge Richard Buteera as the Deputy Chief Justice. The two names have since been sent to Parliament for vetting.
Justice Owiny-Dollo has been the Acting Chief Justice since June 20 when Katureebe retired.
The Chief Justice is the head of the Judiciary, which is one of the three arms of State, and it is the fourth most powerful office in the country after that of the President, Vice president and Speaker of Parliament.
Justice Owiny-Dollo becomes the first Chief Justice to be elevated from the position of Deputy Chief Justice. The past Chief Justices were appointed from the Supreme Court Bench.
He became famous for having presided over the trial of the Kampala twin bombings in which he convicted several suspects for being behind the killing of at least 76 football fans at Kyadondo Rugby Club and Ethiopian Village in Kabalagala.