Twenty Years On, Justice Arthur Oder’s Legacy Still Defines Uganda’s Pursuit of Justice

June 30, 2026 in Letters by Editor

Justice Oder

Two decades after the passing of former Principal Judge and Supreme Court Justice Arthur Haggai Okello Oder, family, colleagues and Uganda’s legal fraternity gathered to celebrate a jurist whose life of integrity, humility and constitutionalism continues to shape the country’s justice system.

 

Twenty years after the passing of former Principal Judge and Supreme Court Justice Arthur Haggai Okello Oder, family members, judicial officers and Uganda’s legal fraternity gathered to honour a man whose life remains synonymous with integrity, fairness and unwavering commitment to the rule of law.

The memorial service, held at All Saints’ Cathedral, Nakasero, on Sunday, June 28, was more than an occasion to remember a distinguished judge. It became a reflection on the values that sustain strong institutions and a reminder that the Judiciary’s greatest inheritance is the character of those who serve it.

In a tribute released to mark the anniversary, Justice Oder’s family described him as a jurist whose influence extended well beyond the courtroom.

“A distinguished Judge of the Supreme Court of Uganda, Justice Oder dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, integrity and service to humanity,” the family said.

They remembered him not only as a respected judge, but also as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend whose compassion reached far beyond his immediate family.

“Though twenty years have passed since his departure, our father’s values remain firmly rooted in our hearts. The life lessons he imparted, his passion for uplifting others and his witty sense of humour are qualities we frequently draw from,” the family noted.

They added that his legacy of integrity, humility, service and commitment to doing what was right continues to inspire generations.

That message resonated throughout the memorial service.

Paying tribute, retired Justice Okumu Wengi Richard urged Ugandans to remember not only Justice Oder but also the generation of judicial pioneers who helped build the country’s legal institutions.

“As we remember Justice Arthur Haggai Okello Oder, we also remember other great justices, including Harold Platt, George W. Kanyeihamba and others who served this nation with distinction,” he said.

Justice Okumu also paid tribute to former Chief Justices Benjamin Odoki and Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, congratulating them for their service to the Judiciary and wishing them continued good health.

His remarks reflected a broader concern that Uganda’s judicial history should be preserved alongside ongoing efforts to modernise the administration of justice.

Justice Oder occupies a unique place in that history.

Before serving on the Supreme Court, he chaired the Commission of Inquiry into Violations of Human Rights, which investigated abuses committed between 1962 and 1986. The commission’s work became a significant milestone in Uganda’s post-conflict efforts to strengthen constitutional governance, accountability and respect for human rights.

He later served as Principal Judge before joining the Supreme Court, where he participated in several landmark constitutional and presidential election petitions that helped shape Uganda’s jurisprudence. Throughout his judicial career, he earned a reputation for independence, intellectual rigour and principled decision-making.

Justice Oder died in June 2006 while still serving on the Supreme Court, bringing to an end a distinguished legal career that left a lasting imprint on Uganda’s justice system.

Yet messaging at the memorial suggested that his greatest legacy lies not only in the judgments he wrote, but in the example he set.

At a time when institutions around the world are increasingly judged by public trust, Justice Oder’s life was presented as evidence that the strength of a judiciary ultimately depends on the integrity, humility and courage of the individuals entrusted with dispensing justice.

As Uganda continues to reform its legal system and expand access to justice, the memorial served as a reminder that progress is measured not only by new laws or modern court infrastructure, but also by preserving the values of those who laid the foundations of the country’s constitutional order.

Twenty years after his passing, Justice Arthur Haggai Okello Oder’s legacy remains woven into the fabric of Uganda’s Judiciary—a testament to a life in which justice was not simply a profession, but a public trust faithfully upheld.