Breaking News: Bunyoro’s Monica Kalyegira Mugenyi Appointed Supreme Court Judge
In a historic move, Justice Monica Kalyegira Mugenyi has been appointed as a Supreme Court Judge in Uganda, adding another milestone to her illustrious legal career. Married to Lawyer Hamu Mugenyi and born on August 27, 1969, Justice Mugenyi has been a trailblazer throughout her career, breaking barriers and making history.
A distinguished lawyer and judge, Justice Mugenyi received her Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University, Uganda in 1992, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre in Uganda. Her commitment to legal excellence continued with a Master of Laws degree in International Trade Law from the University of Essex in 2002.
Before her remarkable tenure on the bench, Justice Mugenyi engaged in development work at Action for Development, served as a State Attorney in the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Chambers, and contributed to the Privatisation & Utility Sector Reform Project with the World Bank and the International Development Association (IDA).
Her judicial journey began in 2010 when she was appointed to the High Court of Uganda, subsequently serving as the youngest judge on the bench in the Land and Criminal Division. In December 2013, she was appointed as a judge of the First Instance Division of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). Making history once again, she assumed the role of ‘Principal Judge’ in July 2015, becoming the first woman to hold this position.
Throughout her years of service at the EACJ, Justice Mugenyi presided over high-profile cases, demonstrating a commitment to justice and legal integrity. Notable cases include Uganda v. Lydia Draru Alias Atim (2011), Hon. Margaret Zziwa v. The Secretary General of the East African Community (2017), and Male H. Mabirizi K. Kiwanuka v. The Attorney General of the Republic of Uganda (2020).
Now, with her appointment as a Supreme Court Judge in Uganda, Justice Monica Kalyegira Mugenyi continues to inspire and contribute to the legal landscape, cementing her legacy as a pioneer and trailblazer for women in law.
