Chief Justice Zeija to Host Grand Thanksgiving in Rukungiri, President Museveni Expected as Chief Guest

RUKUNGIRI, UGANDA — Uganda’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, will on July 25, 2026 host a major thanksgiving ceremony at his ancestral home in Nyarushanje, Rukungiri District, in what is expected to be a landmark event for the Kigezi sub-region.

The highly anticipated celebration follows Dr. Zeija’s recent elevation to the country’s top judicial office earlier this year, succeeding Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, who retired in January 2026. The thanksgiving is expected to draw a wide array of dignitaries, with President Yoweri Museveni confirmed as the chief guest.

Dr. Zeija made the announcement during his recent regional tour of Kigezi, where he engaged judicial officers and stakeholders to assess challenges affecting the administration of justice. While addressing leaders and community members, the Chief Justice reflected on his personal journey, describing his rise as both humbling and divinely guided.

“I admired the best carpenter in my village and the priests who were highly respected, but God had a different plan for me,” he said. “From the High Court in Mbarara to Principal Judge, Deputy Chief Justice, and now Chief Justice, I have many reasons to give thanks.”

The event is being organized with the support of leaders across the Kigezi sub-region, including district chairpersons from the six districts, who have pledged to mobilize communities and ensure the celebration is both colorful and memorable.

Leaders in the region have described Dr. Zeija’s appointment as historic, noting that the position of Chief Justice has never before been held by a native of Kigezi. They say his rise represents a source of pride and inspiration for the region.

Preparations for the thanksgiving are already underway, with invitations expected to be extended to government officials, members of the judiciary, religious leaders, and the general public.

The office of the Chief Justice remains the highest in Uganda’s judiciary, overseeing the Supreme Court and playing a critical role in upholding the rule of law. Dr. Zeija now joins a distinguished line of post-independence Chief Justices who have shaped the country’s legal landscape.

As anticipation builds, the July event is expected not only to celebrate personal achievement but also to highlight the growing national significance of the Kigezi region in Uganda’s leadership landscape.