In Uganda, a recently appointed magistrate was detained on suspicion of passing for a woman to take law exams on his girlfriend’s behalf.
The accused, Musa Semwogerere, was caught red-handed attempting to take the tests for Irene Mutonyi at the Law Development Centre (LDC) in Lira. Musa Semwogerere was recently promoted by the Judicial Service Commission to the post of grade one magistrate.
The incident, according to sources in the local media, happened on Friday, July 28, 2023, while LDC’s final written exams were being administered concurrently on all three of its campuses in Kampala, Lira, and Mbarara. Semwogerere, who also goes by the name Mukisa Anthony, was discovered pretending to be a lady with braided hair in order to trick investigators.
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.