Julia Sebutinde elected vice president of International Court of Justice

Justice Sebutinde was elected by her peers to head the international court for three years, a statement from the ICJ reads.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa congratulated her: "Justice Julia Sebutinde, I extend my sincerest congratulations on your election as the Vice President of the International Court of Justice. Your esteemed colleagues on the bench have recognized your exceptional qualifications and dedication to the pursuit of justice.

"This appointment is a testament to your unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and equity. As you assume this significant role, I trust that you will continue to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape with grace and wisdom.

"May the divine guidance of God accompany you throughout your tenure, as you make invaluable contributions to the international legal community. Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved achievement. Your leadership and expertise will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the judicial system."

Sebutinde has been a member of ICJ since February 6, 2012. Before being elected to the ICJ, Sebutinde was a judge of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. She was appointed to that position in 2005 and occupied it until 2011.

Her election comes a week after capturing headlines for her controversial dissenting opinion where she was the only judge who voted against all measures sought by South Africa in its genocide case against Israel.

In a dissenting opinion, Sebutinde stated: “In my respectful dissenting opinion the dispute between the State of Israel and the people of Palestine is essentially and historically a political one.

“It is not a legal dispute susceptible to judicial settlement by the Court.”

Sebutinde was born in February 1954 and attended Lake Victoria Primary School in Entebbe. After finishing primary school, she went to Gayaza High School. She later pursued her degree at Makerere University and received a bachelor of laws degree in 1977, at the age of 23.

She is the first African woman to sit on the international court.