By President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has paid glowing tribute to the Chief Justice of Uganda, His Lordship Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, describing him as a man of truth and integrity whose contributions have helped shape Uganda’s justice system and national unity.
The President was speaking on Saturday at a colourful thanksgiving ceremony held in honour of the Chief Justice at Patong Town Council, Agago District. The event attracted leaders from across the country and hundreds of citizens who came to celebrate the legacy of one of Uganda’s most influential judicial figures.
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Congratulating Justice Owiny-Dollo on his achievements, President Museveni said his unwavering stand for truth during the turbulent era of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Holy Spirit Movement demonstrated his commitment to national interest over tribal sentiments.
“Kony was lying to the people of Northern Uganda that the NRM government hated them,” Museveni said. “But Hon. Justice Alfonse is among those who saw the truth. That’s why we have worked together for all these years.”
The President commended Justice Owiny-Dollo for championing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which he said has helped simplify and localize access to justice for ordinary Ugandans. He also praised the Chief Justice’s leadership in transforming what he described as a “childish and unserious” judiciary into a professional and people-focused institution.
On the economic front, Museveni emphasized that real transformation lies not just in infrastructure, but in household wealth creation. He cited Joseph Ijaara, a farmer from Serere District, who earns over UGX 800 million annually through poultry and dairy on just two acres of land, as proof that success is possible even with limited space.
The President reiterated the NRM’s longstanding position first outlined in the 1996 manifesto encouraging Ugandans to engage in seven key income-generating activities: coffee, fruit growing, pasture, food crops, poultry, piggery, and fish farming.
He also spoke on the evolution of Uganda’s military, recalling that he once advised former President Milton Obote to nationalize the army. “Obote refused, and that mistake gave rise to ignorant people like Amin,” Museveni said, adding that the UPDF now recruits from all districts to reflect the face of the nation.
In his remarks, Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo thanked the President for his trust and support, especially for increasing the Judiciary’s budget, which he said has enabled the institution to operate independently and more effectively.
“You have thanked me for transforming the Judiciary, but it is the President who made it possible,” Owiny-Dollo said humbly.
He dismissed the popular notion that Museveni thrives on conflict, saying: “The President is a peaceful man. If he loved war, he would not have handled the LRA the way he did.”
With just six months left to his retirement at the age of 70, the Chief Justice reflected on his career and legacy. “I am among the wealthiest people in Uganda not in material things, but in people and relationships,” he said. “When I retire, I will return home to help transform my community.”
He also appealed to the President to support leaders in Acholi to revamp the region’s economy, especially through coffee farming and other government-backed programs aimed at eradicating poverty.
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Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija lauded Owiny-Dollo for promoting ADR both locally and across Africa. He revealed that the Chief Justice recently completed a Master’s degree in Dispute Resolution and a certificate in International Commercial Arbitration from Pepperdine University (2023). Owiny-Dollo also currently chairs the African Chief Justices Forum on ADR.
Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Hon. Hilary Onek, offered personal reflections on his friendship with the Chief Justice, recalling fond memories of drinking goat’s milk during childhood visits to his home.
Agago Woman MP Hon. Akello Akori thanked President Museveni for restoring peace to the Acholi region and for the successful rollout of the Parish Development Model (PDM), which she noted has achieved 86% disbursement in the district. However, she appealed for urgent compensation of families affected by cattle rustling and the LRA insurgency.
The event was marked by a deep sense of appreciation for Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo’s life of service, reform, and unity—and a collective call to sustain his legacy of justice and national healing.
