The judiciary has held a special session in honor of
the late Supreme Court Judge, Lady Justice Stella Arach Amoko.
Amoko died on Saturday at Nakasero Hospital aged 69 years. She was left with
only one year to retire from the Judiciary where she had served for 26 years. She spent 18 years at Attorney General's Chambers.
But in usual precedent, the Chief Justice who is the
official head of the Supreme Court was nowhere to be seen at the event, yet
other top Judicial officers were present physically and online.
Sources told Uganda Radio Network that the Chief Justice is unwell having
undergone an operation whose type they couldn't clearly tell.
The Chief Justice was last seen in a public event while officiating at the
launch of Mukono High Court on May 11th, 2023.
Information that couldn't be independently verified indicates that the Chief
Justice is getting treatment in the United States of America.
Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera presided over the session representing Chief
Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo who is reportedly out of the country.
Justice, Buteera told the mourners that Justice
Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has been out of the country for the last three weeks for treatment.
But in the speech read by Justice Richard Buteera, Justice Owiny-Dollo said
that it was painful that he hasn’t been able to see the send-off of Lady
Justice Stella Arach Amoko.
The deceased being one of the most senior Judges at
the Supreme Court has been sitting on the left side of the Chief Justice during
the Court’s proceedings.
//Cue in: "Unknowingly Stella had...
Cue out: .... a State Funeral".//
Owiny-Dollo said the death of Stella Arach Amoko is a big blow to the Judiciary.
Her death came hardly six months after the death of Justice Rubby Opio Aweri. Justice Rubby Opio Awere also sat on
the Supreme Court. The judiciary also lost Constitutional Court Judge, Kenneth
Kakuru this year.
"Their untimely demise in quick succession is a tragedy of monumental
proportion for the Judiciary family and the country at large. Lady Justice
Stella was a most dependable person, an Administrator of the Supreme Court who
promoted harmony and collegiality. She exuded and exhibited admirable judicial
temperament. Her death is a big blow to the Judiciary family and to me
personally," said Chief Justice in a speech read by Justice Richard
Buteera.
A special Court session was chaired by Supreme Court Judge Faith Mwondha to celebrate
44 years of Stella Arach Amoko’s distinguished
service in the judicial Service.
At the ceremony, Arach's husband now widower Ambassador Idule Amoko described
her as a loving and devoted wife and that they had a lot of respect for one another
because she was a faithful partner.
"My wife was ever cheerful, I had never seen her lose her temper. Stella
was a person very committed to her work which she did seven days a week,"
Amoko said.
According to Amoko, Stella Arach was a very incorruptible Judicial Officer and
because of that character, she faced a lot of challenges.
He has appreciated the Judiciary for the support extended to the family during
her illness and even in her death.
The President of Uganda Law Society, Bernard Oundo said that Arach's professional
journey from Attorney General’s chambers to the Supreme Court in 2013 reminds
them as lawyers of patience while pursuing their dream.
Judicial Service Commission Chairperson, Justice Benjamin Kabiito said Stella Arach
was a colleague and a friend to all of them and she strongly advocated for the
Judiciary to work in harmony with the Judicial Service Commission.
The Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija told mourners that the deceased was candid
and objective, always guided by facts and the law in her decisions.
According to Zeija, it was during the tenure of the Late Justice Arach
Amoko as the Head of the High Court Commercial Division that strategies such as
mediation and arbitration were introduced at High Court Commercial Division.
Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka has described the deceased as a Judge who
was always humble, courteous, and soft-spoken but very firm.
“She would put her point across without raising her voice. She had a very good
grasp of the law and the rules having risen in the ranks from being a State
Attorney to the Supreme Court. She was always motherly and guided counsel
politely,” said Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
The sorrowful session was attended by several dignitaries, including advocates,
judicial officers, and government officials members of the family among others
both physically and online.
