By KT Reporter
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo as Uganda’s new Principal Judge. The development was revealed in a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, where the President cited his constitutional authority under Article 142(1) of the 1995 Constitution.
“In exercise of the powers vested in the President by Article 142(1) of the 1995 Constitution, I have, acting on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, appointed Hon. Lady Justice Abodo Jane Frances as a Principal Judge. I hereby forward her Name and CV to Parliament for approval,” reads the letter signed by President Museveni.
The Deputy Press Secretary to the President, Faruk Kirunda, confirmed the authenticity of the appointment. “I hereby confirm that the letter circulating on social media regarding appointment of Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo as the new Principal Judge is authentic. Her name has been forwarded to Parliament for the necessary approval. I congratulate her,” said Kirunda.
If approved by Parliament, Justice Abodo will take over the office from Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, who has been serving as Acting Principal Judge for about five months. She replaces Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, the former Principal Judge, who is now the Deputy Chief Justice.
Profile of Justice Jane Frances Abodo
Justice Abodo, 51, was born in the Karamoja sub-region and is regarded as one of the most distinguished legal professionals in Uganda. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre in Kampala, and a Master of Laws from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.
She began her legal career in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), where she served for 19 years, rising from a trainee State Attorney to Senior Assistant DPP. She headed the Anti-Corruption desk before her appointment to the High Court in February 2018.
In March 2018, she was sworn in as a High Court Judge by President Museveni and posted to the Criminal Division. Two years later, in April 2020, she was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), replacing Justice Michael Chibita, who had been elevated to the Supreme Court.
As DPP, Abodo’s leadership was credited with major reforms. According to an April 2025 article by the Office of the DPP’s Public Relations Officer, Jacquelyn Okui, Abodo focused on tackling high-level crime and reducing case backlog. The initiatives included plea bargaining, criminal sessions, special Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) sessions, daily hearings, and case weeding exercises.
These measures contributed to the disposal of over 500,000 cases nationwide, raising the overall conviction rate to 70%. The Anti-Corruption Department’s conviction rate stood at 93%, with cash recoveries amounting to UGX 15.2 billion. The SGBV conviction rate also rose from 60% to 80% due to child-friendly and victim-centered approaches.
Landmark Cases and Institutional Growth
Under her tenure as DPP, several high-profile cases were prosecuted. Among them was the conviction of Lord’s Resistance Army warlord Thomas Kwoyelo in the International Crimes Division of the High Court. There was also confirmation of charges against suspects in the murder of Assistant DPP Joan Kagezi, who was gunned down in 2015. The Office also handled the prosecution of Allied Democratic Forces rebels linked to an attempted attack at the burial of Gen. Paul Lokech, and the conviction of Maria Nagirinya’s killers led by Kasoro Coporiyamu.
She also created specialized units in the DPP’s office, including the Homicide Division, Cybercrimes Unit, Private Prosecutions Unit, Investment Crimes Unit, and a Plea Bargain Unit. Justice Abodo additionally championed the development of prosecution guidelines, lobbied for prosecutors’ tax waiver on salaries, secured land for prosecutors, initiated barazas for public feedback, and advocated for the appointment of the office’s first-ever Permanent Secretary.
Recognition and Awards
Her contributions earned her national and international recognition. She was honored at the 10th Visionaries of Uganda Awards in November 2022 for her leadership in the Justice, Law and Order Sector. In 2023, she received the ABETO Africa Peace Award for her outstanding achievements as DPP.
What Next?
With her new appointment, Justice Abodo returns to the Judiciary to head one of its most critical offices. However, the decision leaves the Office of the DPP without a substantive head, a vacancy that will likely be filled in the coming months as Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
