The late retired Supreme Court’s Justice Augustine Sebutulo Nshimye who passed away yesterday, Friday, at the age of 79 will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Namutamba Village, Bulera Sub-county, Mityana District on Tuesday, 7 April, 2026 starting with a service at 10:00 am.
According to a funeral programme released by the Judiciary on Saturday, an official vigil for the deceased jurist will be held on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at the family home on Mawanda Road in Kamwokya starting at 5:00 p.m.
This will be followed by a funeral service on Monday, April 6, 2026, at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
The final rites will take place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, with a burial ceremony in Namutamba Village, Bulera Sub-county, Mityana District, commencing with a service at 10:00 a.m.
In a statement released later on Friday, Chief Justice Flavian Zeija described the late Justice Nshimye as “a distinguished jurist, seasoned public servant, and statesman whose life was marked by unwavering dedication to justice and national service.”
Born on December 12, 1946, in Namutamba, Bulera Sub-county in present-day Mityana District, Justice Nshimye began his career in public service in 1967 as a senior clerk in the Judiciary.
Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks, serving as a Clerical Officer, Magistrate Grade I, and ultimately as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda.
Between 1986 and 1988, he served as Deputy Chief Registrar before transitioning to private legal practice in 1988.
In what Chief Justice Zeija described as “the beginning of an illustrious chapter,” Justice Nshimye returned to the Bench in 2008 as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, which also functions as the Constitutional Court. During this time, he distinguished himself through “sound jurisprudence and principled decision-making.”
In 2010, he served as Acting Justice of the Supreme Court and, in September 2015, was appointed a substantive Justice of the Supreme Court. That same year, he became the pioneer Chief Inspector of Courts, a role he held alongside his Supreme Court duties, promoting accountability, efficiency, and integrity within the Judiciary.
Justice Nshimye retired from public service in March 2017 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. However, he was reappointed as Acting Justice of the Supreme Court for two additional years in recognition of his vast experience.
Even after retirement, he continued to serve the Judiciary as a Court Accredited Mediator attached to the Family Division, demonstrating his enduring commitment to justice and alternative dispute resolution.
Justice Nshimye also made significant contributions to Uganda’s political landscape. Between 1988 and 2008, he served as Member of Parliament for Mityana South Constituency and held the position of Minister for Regional Cooperation, contributing to national policy and regional integration.
He was also among the founding members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
According to Chief Justice Zeija, Justice Nshimye was widely recognized for his “intellect, humility, and unwavering adherence to the rule of law.”
“His legacy is etched in the many lives he touched, the institutions he helped shape, and the jurisprudence he enriched,” Justice Zeija stated, extending his deepest condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues.
“Blessed are those who die in the Lord… they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.— Revelation 14:13,” Friday’s statement concluded.
Justice Nshimye’s passing marks the end of a remarkable career in public service and the loss of a respected figure in Uganda’s legal and political history.
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