On June 21, 2023, Parliament eulogized the fallen lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko of the Supreme Court and described her as an Independent judicial icon whose services went above self-interest.
During a special sitting chaired by Speaker Annet Anita Among, legislators, including cabinet members, paid their last tribute to the deceased and praised her exclusive independent judicial services.
Speaker Among, while chairing the sessions, asked women in positions of power to emulate the Late Lady Justice Arach by using their positions to create harmony in their homes.
“The question is, how many of you are mothers or wives when you leave the chambers here? You like bullying your husbands; you should be wives and mothers when you leave the chambers here,” the Speaker said.
Speaker Among described her as a distinguished daughter of the great nation Uganda and used the opportunity to attack those who have been criticizing public servants for seeking treatment abroad, saying that the Justice sought treatment in Uganda, where she later lost her life.
She described her as an exemplary judge who was very humane and could be easily approached by anybody, unlike other judges who keep themselves off from the public.
“She was an icon, a dedicated, professional, and selfless public servant. We keep praying that the good Lord be there with the family, with the judiciary, and with the whole nation because she was such a pillar that can’t be easily replaced,” Among said.
Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister, said that the late Justice Arach was the brain behind so many Universities teaching law and alternative dispute resolution and thanked her for being a mentor to many advocates at the bar.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Norbert Mao, said that late Justice Arach was unequivocal in denouncing executive overreach and narrated how she once summoned an RDC and his security committee to court for refusing to enforce an order of court.
Grace Kwiyucwiny, the State Minister for Northern Uganda, described the deceased as one of the first women leaders and the first Justice from the Greater Nebbi community who strived deeply to empower other women.
The Opposition Chief Whip, John Nambeshe, said that Justice Arach Amoko established herself as a notable authority in election petitions.
“Her judgments have since laid a strong foundation for electoral jurisprudence in the country,” Nambeshe said.
MP Lulume Bayigga of Buikwe North County said, “In Arach, you would see integrity; she would dispense justice. Even when you lose a court case, you know you are in good hands, just like you can lose a life before a good surgeon.”
MP Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri County) eulogized Justice Arach as a lady of integrity and a true patriot.
“Sometimes judges can be bullies, not only litigants but lawyers; she wasn’t one of them. You’d feel comfortable when appearing before her; she’d respect your opinion even when she disagreed with you,” Katuntu said.
“For all intents and purposes, there are chances I would not be a Member of Parliament if it were not for the judgment of Madam Stella Arach Amoko,” Muwanga Kivumbi (NUP, Butambala County) said.
The body of the fallen Supreme Court judge will lie in State until Thursday morning, and thereafter, it will leave the parliamentary building for Adjumani District.
Rest in peace, Justice Stella Arach!
