The Judiciary of Uganda has honored the work of the Late Hon. Justice Kenneth Kakuru with a special Court of Appeal session at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala.
The Thursday March, 9th 2023 Session was attended by among others, Members of the Legal fraternity, Registrars, Magistrates, Justices, Judges, members of the Judicial Service Commission and the general public.
In his tribute, the Chief Justice of Uganda Alfonse Owiny Dollo commended the Late Hon. kakuru for his commitment towards work.
“When I was made the Deputy Chief Justice, I named him head of case management and this caused great impact in the Court of Appeal. It is true that Justice Kakuru applied for early retirement. I informed the President he had applied for early retirement through me but I told him I had declined to send it to him. Why? Because I knew he was a workaholic and would die much sooner in retirement,” Chief Justice Alfonsi Owiny Dollo said.
The Chief Justice added that Beneath this veneer of toughness and indomitable willpower, he had a humorous personality. Until you knew him, he would scare you. He didn’t believe in making enemies.
“People think he was very difficult but very understanding. He was a nice man provided you understood who he really was. He was a person to have as a friend,” he said
The Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera described the Late Justice Kenneth Kakuru as a person who exceeded his call of duty.
“Using his own money, he bought shelves for the criminal registry at the court. He bought trolleys to enable staff move bulk court documents to chambers and court,” DCJ Richard Buteera said.
The Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija said his passion for the rule of law, the love for Judiciary and the country was immense.
“During court vacation, he would organize his files and work through it. He was a backlog fighter. Two weeks ago, he called from Nairobi when he was frail and dictated to me a court judgment, the last that he wrote. That is how passionate he was about his work,” the principle Judge said.
The Judicial Service Commission Chairperson, Benjamin Kabiito said Justice Kakuru was fiercely independent but accountable and observed collegiality.
“We will definitely miss him and his legacy will live on. Kakuru loved his work and died doing his work. And that is his accountability to the people of Uganda.” JSC chairperson said
Ms. Samantha Kakuru Mwesigwa the daughter to the Fallen Judiciary hero said, Justice Kakuru loved the law and was passionate about it. He was passionate about getting justice for the indigent.
Several members of the Judiciary described the Late as a Honorable Justice who carried no grudges, no I’ll feelings or malice. Justice Kakuru worked for the welfare of staff at the Court of Appeal.
The Judiciary opened two condolence books, one at Judiciary Headquarters – Chief Justice’s Boardroom and another at Court of Appeal in the Deputy Chief Justice’s Boardroom to all Judicial Officers and members of the public to pay their respects to the Justice Kakuru
On Friday 10th March at 9:00am there will be a church service at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero and at 2:00pm thereafter Body will be transported to Mbarara Rwebushuri village for the final vigil.
On Saturday 11th March there will be a Final funeral service at St James cathedral Ruharo at 10:00am and then burial take place at Rwebushuri village at 4:00pm
