The Judge recently caused a stir in the international community when she ruled against emergency measures requested by South Africa against Israel over its war on Gaza at the ICJ
Ugandan-born Judge Julia Sebutinde has been elected Vice-President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague, Netherlands.
“Judge Julia Sebutinde (Uganda) was today elected Vice-President of the International Court of Justice by her peers, for a term of three years,” the ICJ said in a statement on Tuesday night.
Vice-President Sebutinde has been a Member of the Court since 6 February 2012.
The Judge recently caused a stir in the international community when she ruled against emergency measures requested by South Africa against Israel over its war on Gaza at the ICJ.
Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa congratulated Sebutinde, saying, “your esteemed colleagues on the bench have recognized your exceptional qualifications and dedication to the pursuit of justice.”
He added: “This appointment is a testament to your unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and equity. As you assume this significant role, I trust that you will continue to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape with grace and wisdom.”
Before joining the Court, Vice-President Sebutinde was a judge at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) from 2005 to 2011.
The Vice-President replaces the President in his/her absence, in the event of his/her inability to perform his/her duties, or in the event of a vacancy in the presidency.
In the absence of the Vice-President, this role falls to the senior judge.
Sebutinde was presiding Judge of Trial Chamber II of the SCSL (2007-2008, 2010-2011), handling several high profile war crime trials including the Prosecutor v. Charles Ghankay Taylor; Judge of the High Court of Uganda with original and appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases (1996-2011); Chairperson, Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Corruption in the Uganda Police Force (1999-2000); and Chairperson, Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Mismanagement in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (2001)
She also served as Chairperson, Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Corruption in the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) (2002); Chairperson, Technology Planning Committee of the Uganda Judiciary (1998- 2002); Legislative Consultant seconded by the Commonwealth Secretariat to the Republic of Namibia responsible for amendment and replacement of the country’s apartheid laws and training of Namibian legislative drafters (1991- 1996); Principal State Attorney and Principal Parliamentary Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Uganda (1978-1990) and Legislative Consultant on the multilateral committees responsible for drafting and amendment of the treaties establishing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) (1980-1990); Member of the Uganda Bar and Advocate of the Courts of Judicature of Uganda since 1979.
Education
Judge Sebutinde boasts a doctorate of Laws, honoris causa, University of Edinburgh, U.K., for distinguished service in the field of international justice and human rights (2009); Master of Laws Degree with Distinction (LL.M.), University of Edinburgh, U.K. (1990); Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B.) Makerere University, Uganda (1977); and Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Law Development Centre, Uganda (1978)
