Police are hunting for gunmen who shot at the convoy of the Principal Judge, Dr Flavian Zeija, on Saturday evening on the Kampala-Masaka highway.
According to Jamson Karemani, the Judiciary Public Relations Officer, the gunmen’s intentions are not known, describing the act as cowardice.
“Thankfully, the Principal Judge and his entire team escaped unhurt from the incident. The Judiciary condemns in the strongest terms such barbaric conduct whose intentions are only known to those who engage in such acts of unlawfulness. This was an act of cowardice and we are confident that the perpetrators shall at an appropriate time be brought to book,” Karemani said in a statement issued on Sunday, 24 April 2022.
He said the Uganda Police Force has commenced investigations into the incident.
“We implore members of the public to remain calm as the responsible authorities and or institutions undertake their investigative role. We shall keep the public updated on any new developments as and when they come in, where necessary.
The Judiciary remains committed to executing her Constitutional mandate of adjudication and administering justice to all,” Karemani said.
This is not the first time a high ranking judicial officer is attacked. In July 2021, the Chief Magistrate of Utilities and Wildlife Court at Buganda Road, Gladys Kamasanyu was attacked by unknown people. She was soon after admitted to IHK in Namuwongo.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Area Acting Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, Kamasanyu was attacked outside Green Hill Academy in Namuwongo at 11.00am.
“She parked her car and later crossed the road to go to the schools. As she was heading out, three men who were on motorcycles and had been allegedly trailing her waited for her kicked Kamasanyu and she fell on the ground.
According to Owoyesigyire, the thugs stole her property which includes a phone and her bag. Owoyesigyire.
This was not the first time Kamasanyu was being attacked. In 2019, she was attacked by the supporters of Dr Stella Nyanzi in court and hit with a bottle after she found Nyanzi guilty of offensive communication, the sentence which was later overturned by the High Court.
Kamasanyu also being the head of the only Specialized Wildlife Court in Africa has presided over several cases involving suspects charged with offences related to illegal possession of wildlife species.
Kamasanyu’s attack came a few days after she was promoted from Grade one Magistrate to a Chief Magistrate.