PROFILE: Who Exactly is Justice Bernard Namanya, the High Court Judge Who Has ‘Thrown’ Nalukoola Out of Parliament?

Justice Bernard Namanya, a judge of the High Court, has thrown Elias Naluyimbazi Nalukoola from Parliament, only two months since the National Unity Platform (NUP) politician was sworn in.

Opposition politicians and supporters have expressed their disappointment in the decision. The ruling, if an appeal against it does not succeed, could lead to a fresh election in Kawempe North.

So, who exactly is Justice Bernard Namanya, the judge whose decision could make Nalukoola a two-month MP?

Justice Bernard Namanya was appointed acting High Court judge in 2022.

He holds a holds a Master of Laws degree (LL.M) from Makerere University (2004), a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre Kampala (2000), and a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) from Makerere University (1999).

He was enrolled as an Advocate of the High of Court of Uganda in 2000.

Namanya is also a member of member of the Advocates for International Development (A4ID), East African Law Society, and the Uganda Law Society.

He has over two decades of experience in legal practice, with areas of interest being climate change law, environmental law, medical negligence law, commercial law; energy and mining law; as well as litigation and arbitration.

Namanya also boasts of “considerable legal experience in both civil and criminal law gained through providing legal services to clients such as Ugandan Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Banks, United Nations agencies, foreign embassies, international development agencies, corporate entities, individual clients and NGOs.”

One of the agencies he has defended in court is National Social Security Fund (NSSF) which he successfully represented in a land dispute in in the High Court of Uganda.

Namanya is passionate about climate issues. The Pearl Times has learnt that Namanya advised Government of Uganda in the drafting the National Climate Change Act, 2021.

Namanya is also a member of Climate-Change Concern, a Ugandan NGO, as well as a former member of the Compliance Committee of the Kyoto Protocol (Enforcement Branch), UNFCCC (2006-2009).

The Ugandan judge is also a National Rapporteur on Global Climate Litigation; a member of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law (Columbia Law School, Columbia University, New York, United States of America); and a member of the World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL); as well as Climate Strategies (London, United Kingdom).

You can about Judge Namanya’s ruling throwing Nalukoola out of parliament, and fears by a NUP boss that the judgement could set a precedent that Museveni’s regime could use to steal opposition victories in 2026 Here and There.

You can also read the profile of another Ugandan judge who months ago denied Besigye bail despite the opposition leader ‘meeting bail requirements.’ Here.

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