AGAGO– President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday presided over the thanksgiving ceremony held in honour of the Chief Justice, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny – Dollo. The event took place at Akwee Primary School grounds in Patongo, Agago District.
In his address, the President congratulated Justice Owiny – Dollo and his family, praising his long service to the country. He reflected on the values that have guided the Chief Justice’s journey, referring to two Acholi words Ada (truth) and Goba (lies).
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He noted that the Chief Justice has always chosen Ada, which has guided his journey. The President emphasized that Uganda’s progress depends on people choosing Ada, adding that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has consistently opposed Goba.
The President credited Justice Owiny – Dollo for his determination, which he said helped increase the Judiciary’s budget and improve its operations. He also praised him for supporting efforts to “indigenize” Uganda’s justice system, noting that the court system left behind by colonial powers is not always suitable. He specifically appreciated how the Chief Justice has embraced Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which uses local methods to resolve conflicts.
“I want to congratulate His Lordship Owiny – Dollo for downloading our indigenous concepts of justice into what we call Alternative Dispute Resolution,” he said.
Turning to development, the President encouraged people to improve their household incomes through small-scale farming and other income-generating activities. He stated that self-reliance at the household level such as harvesting rainwater, using solar energy, and accessing private health and education facilities can bring services closer to the people, even before government intervention.
Justice Owiny – Dollo explained the importance of thanksgiving in African culture, comparing this to traditional prayers that take place after a good harvest.
He reflected on his 23 years in private legal practice, describing it as honest, purposeful, and focused on helping people.
“For 23 years I practiced law, that was clean, that was purposeful, that was people-centered,” he stated.
He thanked the President for supporting the Judiciary, noting that the budget had remained at UGX 198 billion for many years until it was increased under his leadership. He noted that the current budget stands at about UGX 450 billion, with plans to raise it to UGX 800 billion in the near future. He said this support has allowed the Judiciary to improve and become a stronger arm of government.
“When I took over as Chief Justice, the Judiciary budget was 198 billion and it had been religiously 198 billion for years across several Chief Justices. The Judiciary of Uganda was called the third arm of Government. We now stand at a 450 billion Judiciary budget from 198 because of you. And because of that, we have brought discernible transformation. We have made a difference in the operation of the Judiciary,” he said.
As he prepares to retire in six months, the Chief Justice described himself as a wealthy man not because of money or property, but because of the love and support of the people. He promised to return home and work directly with the community to help reduce poverty in the Acholi sub-region, a region rich in natural resources but long suffering from war and underdevelopment.
Justice Owiny – Dollo believes that by promoting coffee farming and using machines even on small plots of land, the area can see real improvement. He called this approach “production by the masses” rather than mass production.
His retirement mission is to mobilize local participation in development initiatives, focusing on household-level mechanized farming and the promotion of perennial crops such as coffee.
In his remarks, the Deputy Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, who also chaired the National Organizing Committee for the celebration, praised Justice Owiny – Dollo’s outstanding service in all three Arms of Government: as a minister in the Executive, a delegate in the Constituent Assembly and member of Parliament in the Legislature, and now as head of the Judiciary.
“Your Excellency, today we join you to celebrate the lasting service of a great statesman who has had an illustrious career in all three arms of Government namely the Executive as a Government Minister, the Legislature as a delegate to the Constituent Assembly and Member of Parliament, and now the head of the Judiciary,” he said.
Hon. Hillary Onek (Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees), praised Chief Justice Owiny – Dollo’s long-standing intelligence and capability, which he said he recognized as early as 1967.
He credited the Chief Justice’s Acholi upbringing rooted in integrity, honesty, and reconciliation for shaping his (Chief Justice’s) leadership.
Hon. Onek noted that the Chief Justice’s appointment brought meaningful reforms to the Judiciary, including ADR. He commended both the Chief Justice and Ambassador Olara Otunnu for championing the restoration of traditional Acholi values of ADR such as reconciliation, which he said are key to rebuilding a harmonious and prosperous society after years of conflict.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Akello Beatrice Akori (Minister of State for Economic Monitoring Office of the President), said the thanksgiving ceremony offered a moment to reflect on progress made and to seek continued support in closing key development gaps in Agago District and the wider Acholi sub-region.
She thanked the President for restoring peace in the eastern part of the Agago district, which had long suffered from cattle rustling.
She also raised concerns about poor road infrastructure and human-wildlife conflict, calling for intervention around Kidepo National Park. Additionally, she appealed for the creation of a new district from Agago North County and proposed upgrading Patongo to municipal status to bring services closer to the people.
Mr. Ojok Leonard Opio, speaking on behalf of Justice Owiny – Dollo’s family, expressed deep gratitude to the President for attending the ceremony and standing with the family. He noted that in Acholi culture, such presence signifies genuine solidarity and inclusion.
In his homily during the ceremony, Archbishop Raphael P’Mony Wokorach (Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese), described Justice Owiny – Dollo as a man of wisdom who has served the nation diligently and generously throughout his career.
He commended the Chief Justice’s service, which he said was marked by a strong commitment to justice and unity, bringing people together and working selflessly beyond the limits of his immediate family.
“You have worked to uplift many young men and women. You have gone beyond the boundary of your own blood family; we thank you for such a heart,” he said.
Archbishop Wokorach also offered prayers for peace and restraint during the upcoming election period, urging security forces to treat everyone with dignity and compassion.
The Director of Programmes, HW Lamunu Pamella Ocaya (Acting Chief Registrar), described the event as a tribute to a remarkable leader and a true servant of justice.
“We celebrate a legacy that is defined by integrity, by profound wisdom and unwavering commitment to the rule of law. This is also rooted in our cultural values of respect for leadership, community, and thanksgiving,” she said.
The event was attended by family, friends as well as dignitaries from the Executive, Judiciary and Parliament.
Advocates, local, religious and cultural leaders, and members of the public who turned up in large numbers.
