One of the 11 Justices of the Supreme Court of Uganda, Justice Ruby Aweri Opio has passed away at Mulago Hospital in Kampala aged 69 after suffering a stroke which affected his brain, according to the Judge’s son .
Justice Ruby Aweri Opio has been indisposed at the hospital since November after he reportedly suddenly lost his consciousness while at his home.
His death was announced by the Chief Justice of Uganda, and also head of the Supreme Court, Justice Owiny-Dollo on Wednesday afternoon.
“The Judiciary family is saddened with the passing of Justice Opio Aweri as he has been described by many as a great towering legal mind who served the bench with boundless dedication, utmost humility, and commitment for nearly four decades. No doubt that the nation at large will miss his noble service” the Chief Justice said.
Born 1953 in Dokolo district, Justice Ruby Aweri Opio reportedly started out as a legal assistant in 1982 in the eastern Uganda district of Soroti and a year later he was appointed Magistrate Grade One.
In 1998, Justice Ruby Aweri Opio was elevated to the position of High Court Judge, according to the Chief Justice. And in 2013, he was moved to the Court of Appeal and in 2015 he was promoted to Uganda’s highest Court, the Supreme Court of Uganda.
At the time of his death, Justice Ruby Aweri Opio was serving as the Chief Inspector of Courts in Uganda, a position he assumed in 2017.
“Our prayer is for the almighty God to comfort the family at such a moment of grief. A detailed funeral programme shall be communicated later.” Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo said.
Mr. George Obong, a son of the Judge, said Justice Ruby Aweri Opio suffered a stroke which affected his brain and thus could be the cause of his death.
“ According to a report from the doctors, the Mzee (Justice Ruby) is alive but in critical condition because of the effect of the stroke which affected the brain.” Mr Obong reportedly told the New Vision Newspaper on Monday, 5th December.
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