The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has dismissed Masaka deputy registrar Cissy Mudhasi Kawuma over allegations of abuse of judicial authority, including the unauthorized attachment of Makerere University’s bank accounts.
According to a statement issued by the JSC, Kawuma was found guilty of ordering the attachment of bank accounts belonging to Makerere University, the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, and a private individual without adhering to the proper legal procedures. Her actions resulted in an attempted fraudulent withdrawal of UGX 3.5 billion from Makerere University’s Stanbic Bank account.
Investigations reveal that in May and June 2020, while serving as the Masaka High Court deputy registrar, Kawuma issued ex parte court orders permitting the seizure of Makerere University’s funds under the pretext of satisfying a fictitious arbitral award in favor of RAM Engineering Uganda Limited. Court records indicate that she conspired with lawyers Akleo Mugisha and Martha Orishaba, as well as RAM Engineering Company director Julius Mugambagye, to execute the scheme without verifying if the university owed the company any money.
Additionally, Kawuma defied the Chief Justice’s instructions by continuing execution proceedings during the COVID-19 lockdown period, further demonstrating her disregard for judicial protocols.
In 2021, she secured a temporary injunction preventing the Uganda Police Force and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit from investigating the matter. However, her recent dismissal clears the way for the resumption of these investigations.
Kawuma was initially interdicted on June 24, 2020, by the then-acting Chief Registrar Tom Chemutai on three counts, including producing substandard work and engaging in conduct detrimental to the integrity and reputation of the judiciary, in violation of the Judicial Service Regulations of 2005.
The JSC has also dismissed Chief Magistrate Ruth Nabaasa for entertaining a case beyond her jurisdiction and failing to comply with a High Court judge’s directive. These dismissals follow previous disciplinary actions by the JSC, including the removal of Rakai Grade One Magistrate Latif Abubaker Nakibinge for misappropriating UGX 7 million from a court operation fund.
The judiciary’s move signals a firm stance against judicial misconduct, reinforcing accountability within Uganda’s legal system. With Kawuma’s dismissal, stakeholders anticipate renewed efforts to recover Makerere University’s funds and bring those involved in the fraudulent scheme to justice
