Esther Mayambala Kisaakye

Esther Mayambala Kisaakye (also known as Esther Kitimbo Kisaakye) is a Ugandan lawyer and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda. She was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2009 and is known for her advocacy of women’s rights and her independent judicial stance. She later left Uganda and has lived in exile, citing threats to her life. Quotes “I’m a retired judge. The tribunal has no jurisdiction over me.” The Independent “Substantive justice demanded that we give them more time, especially given the reasons that had been given, openly submitted by counsel for Robert Kyagulanyi in court. So I dissented. That was an eight-to-one ruling.” The Independent “When I delivered my reasoned ruling in the Kyagulanyi versus President Museveni applications, despite my colleagues declining to join me, it led to repercussions for me at a personal level. But I’m proud to have taken the stand that I took, that my duty to the people of Uganda was above paying allegiance to the Chief Justice or any other authority.” The Independent “When a judge cannot deliver a ruling without the lights being switched off and files confiscated, the rule of law is dead.” Washington Newsday “I, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda, and many other Ugandans are currently living involuntarily in exile, having been forced to flee for fear of our lives.” Uganda Today “The Attorney General gave advice to the President that a judge who has clocked 60 years cannot resign. That was part of the pressure I faced when I sought to step down. But the Constitution allows for resignation, and no advice should override that right.” The Independent External links Category:Ugandan women Category:Ugandan judges Category:Women judges Category:Living people