Justice Anoop Singh
Choudry
Description
Justice Anoop Singh Choudry, the first Sikh Judge of a High Court in Uganda was born on 13.08.1949
at Masaka, Uganda. His grandfather, S. Hari Singh had migrated from Rawalpindi to Uganda in the early
1900s serving in the then Crown Colony’s Civil service system. His late father Tarlok Singh had also served
in Uganga’s civil service, retiring shortly before 1972 when Idi Amin seized the properties and businesses
of all the country’s Asians and European citizens and forced around 30,000 Asians holing British passports
to flee to Britain. After being schooled in Uganda he travelled to England to study at the University of
London and the University of Cambridge. Having qualified as a solicitor, he practiced law in England for
20 years until 2000 after which he practiced as an auditor in quality control. When he returned to Uganda,
he worked in Civil Service. His name was approved by the Parliament and the Judiciary for Judgeship in
the Uganda High Court in 2004. However, due to his highly spiritual and honest style of living, he had to
face many hostile elements. Ultimately, he was sworn in as the High Court Judge on 02.05.2008 for a period
of 06 years. During this period also, he had to face a number of controversies, but he bravely dealt with
them and completed his full term retiring on 13.08.2014. The brave Sikh judge always displayed the best of
vigour, diligence and dedication towards his duties. His love for Sikhism is evident from his books like Sikh
Pilgrimage to Pakistan and Human Rights of Women in Sikhism. He was one of the delegates to Pakistan
when Baba Nanak University was set up at Nankana Sahib. He eloquently put forward his case for allocation
of 2500 acres of land for the University Campus which was accepted by Pakistan Authorities. With such distinguished services in a Country like Uganda, Justice Anoop Singh emerges as a real role model for all
the people.
