By Peter Labeja
The appointment of Justice Owiny Dollo as Deputy Chief Justice has caused excitement in Acholi.
In an August 18th letter to the Speaker of Parliament, president Museveni also appointed Justices Paul Mugamba and Richard Buteera on the bench of the Supreme Court.
“This is, therefore, to forward to you their names and Curriculum Vitae for parliamentary approval,” the president said in his letter which was copied to the Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission.
If approved by Parliament, Justice Owiny-Dollo will replace Justice Steven Kavuma who retires next month.
Charles Komakech, the former coordinator of Kitgum NGO Forum says Justice Alphonse Owiny Dollo brings to the position of Deputy Chief Justice merit, vast experiences, an undisputed track record of public service and high moral integrity.
“I think the appointment is meritorious. Justice Dollo has a track record that cannot be disputed both in legal practice and politics. I am confident he will withstand the pressure in that office. He is above the caliber of a cadre judge,’’ said Komakech.
Komakech said Justice Owiny Dollo demonstrated high political integrity when he returned to his judicial work after he lost Agago County parliamentary seat to Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo in 2006.
Mathew Ochen Akiya, the former LCV Chairperson of Lamwo district says Justice Owiny Dollo is a seasoned judicial officer who has successfully handled many sensitive issues in the country. He says his appointment is a huge vote of confidence in the government of President Museveni which has for long been accused of sidelining northern Uganda in the share of national cake.
“I receive the news with excitement because Hon. Justice Owiny Dollo has been a very seasoned judicial officer. He worked in the judiciary for many-many years and he has proved to be very competent in all the positions he has held in the judiciary. He can manage it very well. Two, we in the north, particularly the Acholi have been concerned that government has not been sharing in the national cake with us fairly and equitably. And I think elevation of Justice Owiny Dollo to that position should answer that cry”, Akiya said on phone.
Ambrose Ola, the Prime Minister of Acholi Cultural Institution, Ker Kwaro Acholi, says the appointment of Justice Owiny Dollo is a major milestone for the region. He says Justice Owiny Dollo is one of the few accomplished Acholi personality holding vast experiences in the history and culture of the Acholi people.
Chris Ouma, the Secretary General of Uganda People’s Congress Party in Gulu district says the appointment of Justice Owiny Dollo should mark the onset of fairness, equity and regional balance in distribution of senior government positions.
Engineer Hilary Onek, the Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Refugees and Relief says he is very proud of the appointment adding that Justice Dollo has been among the few bright lights that guided the sub region during it’s the conflict in northern Uganda.
Justice Alphonse Owiny Dollo has served the country in various positions including State Minister for Pacification of Northern Uganda. After losing Agago County Parliamentary seat to Professor Morris Ogenga Latigo in 2006, President Museveni appointed Justice Dollo to the bench as High Court Judge, where he remains to date.
In May last year, Justice Owiny-Dollo convicted seven men behind the July 11, 2010 terror attacks in Kampala that claimed the lives of 74 people.
The double bombing targeted two venues the Ethiopian Restaurant and Kyadondo Rugby Club as revelers watched the World Cup Final match between Spain and the Netherlands.
Five of the convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment while the two received 50 years each. Thirteen others were acquitted.
It was the calm demeanour with which Justice Owiny-Dollo handled the highly sensitive case that endeared him to many. The men could have faced the death penalty, the maximum for terrorism, but Owiny-Dollo said he did not believe it would act as a deterrent.
3 Comments
Kaka if its for regional balance then I would say a good appointment. Do we have to appoint because of regional balance or because of professionalism and vast experience?
If we look at it critically this is a political appointee, a judge who leans more towards the NRM, following the foot step of retiring Kavuma.
If selection was based on experience then out of the last three in the list, Dollo is junior and the least experience judge.
Many will be disappointed, time is the judge!
We read it in Monitor of 24 August 2017,advertised by Nelson Wesonga in Kampala that M7 has appointed Alfonse Owiny-Dollo to be the next new Deputy Chief Justice.
Congratulation!Hon.Justice Owiny -Dollo.”You are a Professional Lawyer and I hope you will succeed the current Deputy Chief Justice Kavuma successfully”.
In Acholi we have a proverb which says”Politics obedo calo NGWEN mamit ,ento OKOK NE bene tye” Miyo tic bot Lotino Acholi dong waneno adwogi ne MALIT mada,Maj.Gen.Oketta ocito ki mege,Col.Walter Ochora okato ki mere.
We are surprised that all this 30 years M7 is turning to appoint Highly Educated Acholi Sons simply to CRUSHED them,that is his tricks.
We visited Litino Acholi ma Mony pa 7 omako gi ki i Anaka gitweyo gi KANDOYA, Gikelo gi wa i Luzira Maximum Prison in December 1988,Lawyer Owiny Dollo ocwala awilo Labolo igi. Litino ego ni,okom gin 15 acel aye kumbedi odong makwo.mukene ni weng two cado oneko gi i Luzira.
We MUST advise and PROTECT him all the time and he(Dollo) should also leave his Office open to US who wish to Support him and vise-versa.
Owiny Dollo said Acoli(Luo) ruled as Pharao/kings in Ancient Egypt(Kemet), that was true! Here are specific examples: In the 25th Dynasty, 785Bc-664BC, Pharao/King Olara/ Alara ruled from 785BC to 760BC.
In the 18th Dynasty 1709BC-1450BC, Pharao/King Akena Aten ruled from 1501BC to 1474BC; Pharao/Queen, Aya ruled from 1468BC to 1456BC.
In the 15th Dynasty 2545BC -1993BC, Pharao/King Ocira ruled from 2320BC to 2303BC
I encourage Justice Owiny to continue with further research, we will find that Acoli/Lwo/Luo lived in present day Italy thousands of years before Egypt, it was here that one of the funeral songs was composed after a mysterious fire destroyed their beautiful settlements/homes along river/lake Cumo/Cumu/Como/Comu. The goes like this: ” Mac owang I kulu cumo, kono aoo pa min too, kono awango nginyinginyi woko calo mac mu wango kulu Cumo”