Dr. Flavian Zeija has officially assumed office as Uganda’s new Chief Justice after being sworn in by President Yoweri Museveni at his country home in Kisozi, Kiruhura District on Saturday.
Zeija succeeds Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, who retired after attaining the mandatory constitutional retirement age of 70. Owiny-Dollo had served as Chief Justice since 2020 and exited office at the end of his term as required by law.
During the ceremony, Zeija thanked President Museveni for the continued trust and confidence placed in him, noting that this marks his fourth presidential appointment within the Judiciary.
Ahead of his swearing-in, Parliament on Thursday approved his appointment after he appeared before the Appointments Committee chaired by Speaker Anita Among for vetting.
Born on February 18, 1969, in Western Uganda, Dr. Zeija’s legal journey spans more than two decades in academia, private practice, and judicial service. He studied law at Makerere University, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1996, and later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre in 1997.
He went on to earn a Master of Laws degree from Makerere University in 2002 and a PhD in Law from the University of Dar es Salaam in 2013. In addition, he holds an MBA from Uganda Martyrs University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of the United Kingdom.
Before joining the Bench, Zeija worked in private legal practice and corporate law, including stints at Kwesigabo, Bamwine, Walubiri & Company Advocates, Tropical Africa Bank, and FINCA Uganda. He later became Managing Partner at Zeija, Mukasa & Company Advocates.
He also built a strong academic career, lecturing at Uganda Christian University, Makerere University, and Makerere University Business School, where he served as the founding Head of the Department of Business Law.
Zeija joined the Judiciary in 2016 as a High Court Judge and was posted as Resident Judge in Mbarara. In 2019, he was appointed Principal Judge, and in 2025, he was elevated to Deputy Chief Justice, a position he held until his latest appointment.
As Chief Justice, Zeija takes over leadership of the Judiciary at a time when the courts face mounting pressure over case backlog, public trust, and judicial integrity.
