Mourners have praised the late Justice Jessica Naiga Ayebazibwe as a force to reckon with that the judiciary has lost.
Justice Naiga of the Family Division of the High Court in Kampala breathed her last on Monday night in her sleep after reportedly returning home feeling tired and weak.
On Wednesday,the judiciary held an extra ordinary session for their departed comrade.
Giving her eulogy,justice Henrietta Wolayo described the deceased as being honest and gentle but with a great sense of humour that welcome everyone who interfaced with her.
“She had a kind heart,simple and loved everyone,”justice Wolayo said of the deceased.
She told mourners that the deceased loved her work so much.
Approachable
Lawyer Joyce Nalunga who represented the Uganda Law Society president said the Naiga was approachable to all lawyers that faced her during her tenure as a judge.
She said that Naiga was caring,down to earth and had a humanitarian heart that will be greatly missed by the judiciary.
Workaholic
According to justice Godfrey Nyamundi from the family division of the High Court said that the deceased never failed to turn up for work despite being ill.
“She was posted to the family division a week ago but because we realised she was sick,we gave her chance to stay home until she stabilises but she insisted on working,”Nyamundi told mourners at the High Court in Kampala.
“She was so committed to her work that disposed off some cases despite being sick.”
The Principal Judge,Yorokam Bamwine reminisced the days when the late was appointed a judge of the High Court and she was posted in Mbale in 2014.
“Later, her health condition was brought to my attention by the Chief Justice and we advised that she is transffered to Kampala for management of her condition but she reluctantly accepted,”Bamwine said.
He added that even after being relocated to Kampala where she was allocated light duties due to her health condition,lady justice Naiga insisted that she is given bigger tasks for she wanted to serve.
Members of the judiciary saluted their departed comrade for being hardworking and loving to everyone.
The deceased’s body will be taken to her village home at Katukuru in Mbarara district for a mass and overnight vigil before being laid to rest on Friday.
Life
Jessica Naiga Ayebazibwe graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelors degree in law before joining Law Development Centre where she attained a post graduate diploma in legal practice.
She also served as legal officer at National Environment Management Authority from 2007 up to 2014 when she was appointed a judge of the High Court.
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