A Ugandan magistrate, Musa Semwogerere has been arrested for allegedly impersonating a woman to sit for law exams on behalf of his girlfriend.
The accused, Musa Semwogerere, who was recently promoted to the rank of grade one magistrate by the Judicial Service Commission, was caught red-handed attempting to take the exams for Irene Mutonyi at the Law Development Centre (LDC) in Lira.
According to local media reports, the incident occurred on Friday, July 28, 2023, during LDC’s final written examinations being conducted simultaneously across all three of its campuses in Kampala, Lira, and Mbarara. Semwogerere, who also goes by the name Mukisa Anthony, was found disguised as a woman with braided hair, a ruse he employed to deceive examiners.
The LDC director, Frank Nigel Othembi, confirmed the offense committed by Semwogerere, stating that it was in violation of Section 351 of the Penal Code Act (uttering a false document) and Section 381 of the Penal Code Act (impersonation).
The matter was immediately reported to the police, leading to Semwogerere’s arrest and subsequent charging with two counts of forgery.
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.”
However, in light of the grave misconduct, the Judiciary confirmed that Semwogerere’s appointment would be revoked.
“Semwogerere Ammaari Musa was appointed a judicial officer on June 12, 2023 by the Judicial Service Commission alongside 86 other persons to the position of Magistrate Grade One on probation. According to the Chief Registrar, Her Worship Sarah Langa Siu, the Judiciary is finalizing the appointment process of the said officers after which they will be sworn in,” the judiciary said.