The Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, has hailed the late retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Augustine Sebutulo Nshimye, as “a distinguished jurist, seasoned public servant, and statesman whose life was marked by unwavering dedication to justice and national service.”
Justice Nshimye passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026, at his residence in Kampala after a battle with cancer. He was 79.
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.
He steadily rose through the ranks, serving as a clerical officer, Magistrate Grade I, and eventually as a justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda.
Between 1986 and 1988, he served as Deputy Chief Registrar before transitioning into private legal practice.
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 doubles as the Constitutional Court. There, he distinguished himself through sound jurisprudence and principled decision-making.
In 2010, he served as an 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 an acting justice of the Supreme Court for two additional years in recognition of his vast experience.
After retirement, he continued to serve as a court-accredited mediator attached to the Family Division, reflecting his enduring commitment to justice and alternative dispute resolution.
Beyond the Judiciary, 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. He was also among the founding members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
According to Chief Justice Zeija, Justice Nshimye was widely respected 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,” Zeija noted, extending 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,” the statement concluded.
Funeral and burial arrangements are expected to be announced in due course.
