President Yoweri Museveni is set to be sworn in tomorrow, 12 May 2027, for his seventh term as President of Uganda, extending a presidency that began in 1986 after the National Resistance Army captured power.
Under Uganda’s Constitution, the Chief Justice is responsible for administering the presidential oath of office. Over the last four decades, several Chief Justices have presided over Museveni’s inauguration ceremonies.
Here is a look at the Chief Justices who have sworn in President Museveni since 1986.
Justice Peter Allen
Justice Peter Allen presided over Museveni’s first swearing-in ceremony in January 1986.
Allen, a British expatriate judge, had been appointed Chief Justice in 1985 by the military government of General Tito Okello Lutwa after the overthrow of former President Milton Obote.
When Museveni’s forces captured power in January 1986, Tito Okello fled the country, leaving a power vacuum. As Chief Justice and one of the highest-ranking officials in the country at the time, Justice Allen briefly served as acting Head of State for a few days before Museveni officially took office.
He later administered the presidential oath to Museveni during a historic ceremony held on the steps of Parliament in Kampala, attended by thousands of Ugandans celebrating the end of years of conflict.
Despite overseeing the inauguration, Justice Allen was not retained as Chief Justice after Museveni formed his government.
Justice Samuel Wako Wambuzi
Justice Samuel Wako Wambuzi remains one of Uganda’s most respected judicial figures, having served as Chief Justice three different times between the 1970s and early 2000s.
He presided over Museveni’s second inauguration on 12 May 1996 following Uganda’s first presidential election under the Movement system.
In that election, Museveni defeated Democratic Party candidate Paul Ssemogerere with more than 75 percent of the vote.
The 1996 swearing-in marked Uganda’s transition into a new constitutional era following the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution.
Justice Benjamin Odoki
Justice Benjamin Odoki oversaw three of Museveni’s inauguration ceremonies, making him the Chief Justice who has sworn in Museveni the most times.
He first presided over Museveni’s 2001 inauguration after the President defeated Dr Kizza Besigye in a highly contested election.
Justice Odoki also chaired the Supreme Court panel that heard Besigye’s election petition challenging the results. Although the court ruled that there had been irregularities and malpractice, it declined to nullify the election outcome.
Odoki later presided over Museveni’s fourth inauguration in 2006 after another election victory against Besigye. He again handled a presidential election petition filed by the opposition leader.
His third inauguration ceremony came in 2011 when Museveni secured another term in office.
Justice Odoki served as Chief Justice from 2001 until his retirement in 2013.
Justice Bart Katureebe
Justice Bart Katureebe presided over Museveni’s sixth inauguration in May 2016.
Museveni had been declared winner of the February 2016 presidential election with 61 percent of the vote, defeating Dr Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi.
Katureebe also chaired the Supreme Court panel that heard Mbabazi’s presidential election petition challenging the election outcome.
During his tenure, the Supreme Court also handled key constitutional matters, including debates surrounding presidential term limits.
Justice Katureebe served as Chief Justice from 2015 until his retirement in 2020.
Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo
Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo administered Museveni’s oath of office on 12 May 2021 at Kololo Independence Grounds.
The ceremony marked the beginning of Museveni’s sixth elected term following the 2021 general elections.
Owiny-Dollo had been appointed Chief Justice in 2020 after previously serving as Deputy Chief Justice. Interestingly, Museveni himself had sworn him in as Deputy Chief Justice in 2017 and later as Chief Justice in 2020.
Justice Flavian Zeija
Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija is expected to preside over Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony for a seventh term tomorrow.
Museveni was declared winner of the January 2026 presidential election, paving the way for another five-year term in office.
Justice Zeija became Chief Justice on 24 January 2026, succeeding Alfonse Owiny-Dollo.
His administration of tomorrow’s oath will add his name to the list of Chief Justices who have overseen one of Uganda’s most important constitutional ceremonies since 1986.
