Justice Dr. Esther Kisaakye, formerly of Uganda’s Supreme Court, is reportedly living in exile due to threats to her life, according to documents from Washington-based law firm Covington & Burling LLP.
The documents, which include emails and reports submitted to international organizations, reveal that Kisaakye fled Uganda in July 2023 after receiving an imminent death threat from a source within Uganda’s security agencies.
“Justice Kisaakye continued to live in fear for her life based on reports of threats she continued to receive,” one document states. The law firm has since mobilized support and raised global awareness about her plight, emphasizing the challenges she faces as a judge in exile.
Kisaakye’s troubles trace back to the aftermath of the 2021 presidential election petition filed by Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. The petition challenged President Yoweri Museveni’s re-election.
In a controversial turn, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, dismissed Kyagulanyi’s application to amend the petition and introduce new evidence, citing tight legal timelines.
Kisaakye dissented, accusing the Chief Justice of suppressing her right to deliver a minority judgment. She alleged that her judgment was confiscated, prompting her to read a duplicate copy in defiance.
Her solo delivery occurred in a courtroom where lights and speakers had been switched off, with the other justices and respondents’ lawyers absent.
Following these events, Kisaakye endured years of alleged retaliation and discrimination from court officials, including the Chief Justice.
In 2022 and 2023, she filed two constitutional petitions to challenge what she called unconstitutional inquiries by the Judicial Service Commission and to advocate for judicial independence.
The case has drawn the attention of global entities, including the International Bar Association and the Centre for Human Rights. Covington & Burling LLP continues to coordinate efforts to safeguard Kisaakye’s safety and highlight the ongoing risks she faces.
Source:URN