When President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni named Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi as Uganda’s new Deputy Chief Justice, the announcement signaled the rise of one of the Judiciary’s most experienced and long-serving legal professionals.
Justice Kazibwe assumes the position following the elevation of Justice Flavian Zeija to Chief Justice earlier this year. His appointment reflects a career that has stretched across legal practice, public service, judicial administration and legal education for more than 30 years.
Born on August 22, 1963, Justice Kazibwe studied law at Makerere University before joining the Law Development Centre for postgraduate legal training between 1987 and 1988.
He later expanded his academic qualifications through management studies at the Uganda Management Institute, where he earned both postgraduate and master’s qualifications in management.
After being enrolled as an advocate in 1989, he began his legal career in private practice with Kawanga & Kasule Advocates, handling litigation matters, legal drafting and client advisory work.
His early years at the firm exposed him to commercial disputes and courtroom advocacy, laying the groundwork for his future judicial career.
He later shifted into public-interest legal work through the Legal Aid Project of the Uganda Law Society. Between 1992 and 1998, he served in several capacities, including Senior Project Advocate and Deputy Director, representing vulnerable clients and promoting legal awareness and human rights initiatives.
His experience in legal aid strengthened his reputation as a lawyer committed to improving access to justice, particularly for ordinary Ugandans unable to afford legal representation.
In 1998, Justice Kazibwe joined the Uganda Revenue Authority, where he spent over a decade rising through senior legal and administrative positions. During his time at URA, he supervised litigation teams, advised management on legal matters and helped implement alternative dispute resolution mechanisms aimed at reducing lengthy court battles.
He also served in acting leadership roles within the authority’s legal department and contributed to disciplinary and human resource management structures.
His leadership in litigation reportedly improved the institution’s success rate in tax-related cases while reducing legal expenses through mediation and negotiated settlements.
Following his departure from URA in 2011, Justice Kazibwe returned to private practice as Managing Partner at Kazibwe-Kawumi & Company Advocates, where he specialized in commercial transactions, taxation and land-related disputes.
His appointment to the Bench came in 2016 when he became a Judge of the High Court. He first served as Resident Judge in Kabale, overseeing judicial operations in the region and supporting the expansion of court services, including the establishment of the Rukungiri High Court Circuit.
He later served in Mubende, where his administrative recommendations contributed to the eventual creation of the Kiboga High Court Circuit, a development aimed at improving access to judicial services in underserved areas.
In April 2024, Justice Kazibwe was elevated to the Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court, where he has been serving as a Justice of Appeal prior to his latest appointment.
Beyond the courtroom, he has remained active in legal reform efforts as a member of the Judiciary Law Reform Committee and as a court-accredited mediator working to promote out-of-court settlements and reduce case backlog.
Justice Kazibwe has also contributed to legal education, having lectured at the Law Development Centre and later taught part-time at Uganda Christian University for several years.
His professional journey has been shaped by continuous training in taxation, legislative drafting, governance, management and social justice, areas that have influenced both his judicial philosophy and administrative approach.
Outside his judicial responsibilities, he is involved in charitable and community initiatives, including advisory work for organisations supporting vulnerable girls through education and shelter programmes in Kabale.
As he takes office as Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Kazibwe enters one of the country’s highest judicial positions with extensive experience in litigation, public administration, legal education and judicial leadership, placing him among Uganda’s most accomplished legal minds.
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