Uganda’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has sacked a newly appointed grade one Magistrate, Musa Semwogerere after he was arrested for impersonation and tendering false document. Recall that he was caught posing as a woman to sit for exams for his girlfriend at Law Development Centre (LDC) Lira Campus. According to local media, he was among 86 other persons appointed to the position of Magistrate Grade One on probation by the Commission.
After the incident, Chief Registrar Sarah Langa Siu, in a statement said Semwogerere will no longer be employed since his offence is contrary to the Penal Code Act and the code of conduct of the judicial officers.
“The Judiciary would like to inform the general public that Mr Ssemwogerere Ammaari Musa, one of the newly recruited Magistrates Grade I will not be employed into the Judiciary Service,” a statement read in part.
,It added: “Earlier today Mr Ssemwogerere was remanded to Lira Main Prison having been charged at the Lira Chief Magistrates Court on two counts of uttering a false document contrary to Section 351 of the Penal Code Act and Impersonation contrary to Section 381 of the Penal Code Act. The Judiciary reiterates its commitment in upholding its core values of independence, impartiality, transparency, professionalism, integrity, and accountability.”
Semwogerere fondly called Mukisa Anthony was caught red-handed on Friday, July 28, 2023 while writing exams for his girlfriend, Irene Mutonyi.
The accused has been charged with two counts of forgery and remanded to prison till August 3. Pictures of him dressed as a woman have gone viral on social media and stirred reactions.
LDC director, Frank Nigel Othembi said Semwogerere’s offense was in contravention of Section 351 of the Penal Code Act and Impersonation contrary to Section 381 of the Penal Code Act.
Othembi said; “We reported the matter to the Police and he has been charged with two counts of uttering a false document contrary to Section 351 of the Penal Code Act and Impersonation contrary to Section 381 of the Penal Code Act and remanded to prison till August, 3, 2023. We will ensure that this case is prosecuted fully to its conclusion, including all other culpable persons.
“LDC is currently conducting final written examinations across all its three Campuses- Kampala, Lira and Mbarara. LDC does not condone any act of examination malpractice. We will continue with our zero tolerance policy towards any such conduct.”