Top 8 court cases in 2022 (Pulse Picks)

Such loss leaves dents in the pursuit of justice, but those left behind pick up the pieces to fill in. President Museveni inaugrated 16 Judges in August and welcomed Democratic Party's Norbert Mao as the minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs in July.

How has all this activity trickled down into the courts of law in the administration of Justice?

Here are the top eight court cases of 2022.

1. Till property does us part. One of the monumental ones was the case of one Joseph Ambayo Waigo and his ex-wife Jackline Aserua. The High court had previously directed Ambayo to allocate half of his properties to Aserua. What followed was the Court of Appeal Judges ruling that marriage does not guarantee 50/50 sharing of property.

2. The past is gone. The Constitutional Court kicked out the law on idle and disorderly conduct, "roguery and vagabond" saying it was a hand down from oppressive colonial times. This was in response to the watchful petitioners from the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF). More laws dubbed vague or insufficiently detailed will be kicked out as directed by the Judiciary to Parliament.

3. A leap of faith. A magistrate attached to Kyenjojo District narrowly escaped death in a blind shooting by a police officer. He had to take action to jump out of the moving car before he slapped charges of attempted murder on the officer. He had been mistaken for a hit-and-run car driver who knocked a primary school child.

4. Slim chance. A 26-year-old John Sentamu alias Kelly Slender was thrown behind bars for infringing on the Computer Misuse Act 2022. He faces a year behind the bars and a slim chance of bail. If the Speaker of Parliament ever shows up at the hearing.

5. Court of public opinion. Uganda Medical Association President was put through the 'grinder' for his conduct, that rubbed the public the wrong way, towards President Museveni. However, what verbal lashing he received while kneeling, he will not take in the same manner. He refuses to step down despite Association's directive.

6. Crimes of Samsons. The court of Utilities, Wildlife and Standards sentenced two men for their involvement in killing lions and vultures in Queen Elizabeth Park. They gruesome-two were found with four lion heads, fifteen lions legs, one lion tail, and a three-liter jerrican of lion fats. Each lion is said to generate about $13,500 USD revenue per year. They got less than what they deserved.

7. Spare the rod. Watoto was summoned on accusations of invasive wedding rules that restricted one Michael Aboneka from starting his forever after. According to Aboneka, an HIV test form, letter of consent from parents and a routine with one of the church's programmes, was a bit excessive for what they know in their hearts and Bible says "so they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

8. Born to fight. Legislators Muhammed Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana received a baptsim by fire upon their birth into the Ugandan Parliament. At the moment, only one charge has been dropped from Ssegirinya. A shuffle of Judges has dragged the case and whatever win they get, is seemingly punished by extended period in prison. In 2023, they'll be making two years under the thumb of the law.