The Court of Appeal Team in Gulu, headed by the Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, this evening held a stakeholders’ dinner at Bomah Hotel ahead of the session scheduled to commence tomorrow.
The dinner aimed to foster engagement with stakeholders and to strengthen collaboration ahead of the session.
Speaking during the dinner, the Deputy Chief Justice thanked the leadership and lawyers in Northern Uganda for their cooperation with the Judiciary and for the support extended to the Court in the region.
He also thanked parents (part of the Court of Appeal team) who brought their children to the dinner and welcomed clerkship students from the Law Development Centre (LDC) to the dinner, noting that their interaction with judicial officers and lawyers could inspire them to pursue careers in the legal profession.
The Deputy Chief Justice commended people of Gulu for maintaining a clean and vibrant city, describing Gulu as one of the most exciting cities in Uganda.
Justice Phillip Odoki (Head of Gulu High Court Circuit) welcomed the team to Gulu and invited them to explore Northern Uganda, including its tourist attractions and vibrant Gulu City life.
Speaking during the dinner, Senior advocate, Walter Okidi Ladwar (Representing Uganda Law Society, Northern Uganda), welcomed the team to Gulu for another session, saying he was happy to have the Court of Appeal in the region again. He updated the team on efforts by lawyers from Northern Uganda to seek amendments to the law to allow the establishment of regional Law Societies/bars.
He noted that the initiative had been prompted by the peculiar situation of Northern Ugandans and other issues that have been taking place within the law society.
“So we are trying to work on a proposal for legislation so that we can bring sanity to the legal profession again,” he said.
Mr Ladwar reported that lawyers in Northern Uganda have a good working relationship with judicial officers and staff in Gulu and expressed confidence that the cooperation will also be evident through advocates who will appear before the Justices during the session.
He also commended the efforts that led to the acquisition of land for the construction of the Regional Court of Appeal premises in Gulu, noting that the land was secured through the collective efforts of stakeholders.
“That place was the effort of all of us. We struggled to make sure we got that land and gave it to the Judiciary for free, so that you build this branch. And we are looking forward to its completion, so that you bring us Justices of the Court of Appeal to sit here,” he said.
The dinner was attended by Judicial Officers in different capacities, support staff, and various representatives from Justice sector stakeholders.
Notably in attendance were Lady Justice Eva Luswata, Justice Dr. Asa Mugenyi, and Justice Musa Ssekaana (Justices of the Court of Appeal set to preside over the session).
Also present were HW Mulalira Faisal Umar (Private Legal Secretary to the Deputy Chief Justice), HW Obong George (Deputy Registrar Gulu High Court), HW Alule Augustine Koma (Chief Magistrate Gulu), HW Mwanja Brian (Personal Assistant to the Deputy Chief Justice), and Magistrates under Gulu High Court.
Superintendent of Prisons Patrick Busuulwa (Regional Staff Officer) and SP Joseph Karugaba (DPC Gulu Central Police Station) were also in attendance.
The dinner was moderated by HW Rukundo Allen Owembabazi (Registrar Court of Appeal).
Posted 24th, August 2026
