Julia Sebutinde
Encyclopedia
Lady Justice Julia Sebutinde, commonly referred to as Julia Sebutinde is a Judge
at the Special Court for Sierra Leone
in The Hague
, the Netherlands
. She was appointed to that position in 2007.
to Mr. and Mrs. Semambo, a civil servant and a housewife. She attended Lake Victoria Primary School in Entebbe
in the 1960s. She then joined Gayaza High School
and later, King's College Budo, before entering Makerere University
, to study law. Julia Sebutinde graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws
(LLB) in 1977. She obtained the Diploma in Legal Practice, from the Law Development Center
in Kampala
, in 1978. In 1990, she enrolled in the University of Edinburgh
for the degree of Master of Laws
(LLM), graduating in 1991. In 2009, in recognition of her body of work and contribution to International justice, she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD), by the University of Edinburgh.
in 1991, she worked in the Ministry of the Commonwealth in the United Kingdom
. She later joined the Ministry of Justice in the Republic of Namibia, which had just attained Independence at that time.
In 1996, she was appointed Judge of the High Court
of Uganda. In that capacity, she presided over three commissions of inquiry related to the following government departments:
In 2005 Justice Julia Sebutinde was appointed, with secondment from the Uganda government, to the Special Court on Sierra Leone
, established by the United Nations
. She was later appointed the Presiding Judge in Courtroom II, currently responsible for hearing the case against former Liberia
n strongman, Charles Taylor.. In that position she refused to attend a disciplinary hearing against Taylor's lawyer, a behaviour which amounts to serious judicial misconduct, but that remained unsanctioned by the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
In the ICJ judges election, 2011, Sebutinde is one of eight candidates for five vacant judicial seats on the International Court of Justice
. She was nominated by the national groups of Croatia, Denmark, and Uganda in the Permanent Court of Arbitration
. In the election, a successful candidate needs an absolute majority of votes both in the United Nations General Assembly and in the Security Council. On the first day of voting, four candidates were elected but the fifth position was not filled. When voting adjourned, Sebutinde had failed to receive a majority of votes in the Security Council (6 out of 15, compared to 9 for incumbent Abdul Koroma), but received a majority in the General Assembly (97 out of 193 votes, compared to 96 votes for Koroma).
n cuisine and spicy food. Justice Sebutinde is the Chancellor
of the International Health Sciences University
, in Kampala
, a position she has held since 2008.
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
at the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Special Court for Sierra Leone is an independent judicial body set up to "try those who bear greatest responsibility" for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996 during the Sierra Leone Civil War...
in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. She was appointed to that position in 2007.
Background
She was born in Central UgandaCentral Region, Uganda
Central Region is a region of Uganda. It is coterminous with the Kingdom of Buganda, one of the ancient African monarchies that are constitutionally recognised in Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
to Mr. and Mrs. Semambo, a civil servant and a housewife. She attended Lake Victoria Primary School in Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
in the 1960s. She then joined Gayaza High School
Gayaza High School
Gayaza High School is an all-girls boarding school covering grades 8 -13 in Uganda. It is the oldest girls' school in the country.-Location:The school is located in the town of Gayaza, in Wakiso District, approximately northeast of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The school grounds...
and later, King's College Budo, before entering Makerere University
Makerere University
Makerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
, to study law. Julia Sebutinde graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
(LLB) in 1977. She obtained the Diploma in Legal Practice, from the Law Development Center
Law Development Center
The Law Development Centre , is an educational institution for higher learning that offers various legal courses, ranging from one month to one year.-Overview:...
in Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, in 1978. In 1990, she enrolled in the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
for the degree of Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
(LLM), graduating in 1991. In 2009, in recognition of her body of work and contribution to International justice, she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD), by the University of Edinburgh.
Work History
Julia Sebutinde first worked in the Ministry of Justice in the Government of Uganda from 1978 until 1990. After graduating from the University of EdinburghUniversity of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1991, she worked in the Ministry of the Commonwealth in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. She later joined the Ministry of Justice in the Republic of Namibia, which had just attained Independence at that time.
In 1996, she was appointed Judge of the High Court
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
of Uganda. In that capacity, she presided over three commissions of inquiry related to the following government departments:
- Corruption in the Uganda Police
- Corruption in the Uganda People's Defence ForceUganda People's Defence ForceThe Uganda Peoples Defence Force , previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the UPDF has a total strength of 40–45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing.The IISS Military Balance 2007 says there...
- Corruption in the Uganda Revenue AuthorityUganda Revenue AuthorityThe Uganda Revenue Authority ' was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1991. The URA has head offices in Kampala and operates over a dozen main branch offices throughout the country...
In 2005 Justice Julia Sebutinde was appointed, with secondment from the Uganda government, to the Special Court on Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
, established by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. She was later appointed the Presiding Judge in Courtroom II, currently responsible for hearing the case against former Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
n strongman, Charles Taylor.. In that position she refused to attend a disciplinary hearing against Taylor's lawyer, a behaviour which amounts to serious judicial misconduct, but that remained unsanctioned by the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
In the ICJ judges election, 2011, Sebutinde is one of eight candidates for five vacant judicial seats on the International Court of Justice
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
. She was nominated by the national groups of Croatia, Denmark, and Uganda in the Permanent Court of Arbitration
Permanent Court of Arbitration
The Permanent Court of Arbitration , is an international organization based in The Hague in the Netherlands.-History:The court was established in 1899 as one of the acts of the first Hague Peace Conference, which makes it the oldest institution for international dispute resolution.The creation of...
. In the election, a successful candidate needs an absolute majority of votes both in the United Nations General Assembly and in the Security Council. On the first day of voting, four candidates were elected but the fifth position was not filled. When voting adjourned, Sebutinde had failed to receive a majority of votes in the Security Council (6 out of 15, compared to 9 for incumbent Abdul Koroma), but received a majority in the General Assembly (97 out of 193 votes, compared to 96 votes for Koroma).
Other responsibilities
Mrs. Julia Sebutinde is married to Mr. John Bagunywa Sebutinde and together they are the parents of two daughters. She is reported to love music, soccer and swimming. She enjoys IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n cuisine and spicy food. Justice Sebutinde is the Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of the International Health Sciences University
International Health Sciences University
International Health Sciences University is a private non-residential university in Uganda.-Location:IHSU has its main campus at 4686 St. Barnabas Road, Namuwongo, a southeastern section of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. IHSU's campus is located on the top floor of the building that...
, in Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, a position she has held since 2008.
External links
See also
- International Health Sciences UniversityInternational Health Sciences UniversityInternational Health Sciences University is a private non-residential university in Uganda.-Location:IHSU has its main campus at 4686 St. Barnabas Road, Namuwongo, a southeastern section of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. IHSU's campus is located on the top floor of the building that...
- Makerere UniversityMakerere UniversityMakerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
- Law Development CenterLaw Development CenterThe Law Development Centre , is an educational institution for higher learning that offers various legal courses, ranging from one month to one year.-Overview:...
- University of EdinburghUniversity of EdinburghThe University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...