LDC institutes new malpractice probe team

By Andante Okanya

The Law Development Centre (LDC) has heeded to a court ruling, and instituted a new committee to probe purported examination malpractice at the centre.

The old committee was disqualified on February 13, after High Court judge Vincent Zehurikize, ruled that it was not properly constituted in accordance with Section 16 of the LDC Act.

The disqualification stemmed from a petition by politicians, also enrolled advocates Fred Mukasa Mbidde, and Michael Mabikke, who had petitioned court to stop a probe querying their diplomas in legal practice obtained in the period between 2004 and 2011.

The new team of six is headed by dean faculty of law Uganda Christian University, Dr. Pamela Tibihikirra-Kalyegira.  

Also included on the LDC management committee are lawyers Barnabas Tumusingize of law firm Sebalu-Lule and Company Advocates, together with Moses Adriko of law firm Masembe, Makubuya, Adriko,Karugaba,Ssekatawa Advocates.

The external committee members are Director Uganda Institute of Computing and Technology Dr. Vincent Kasangaki, Head Teacher Kitante Hill School Rose Zizinga, and Assistant Commissioner Uganda Law Reform Commission Florence Ochago who is the secretary.

Last week, the centre's publicist Hamis Ddungu told New Vision that the committee was progressing with its task, and is scheduled to complete work at the end of next month. He said the committee, sitting at LDC, started work on March 5, and is expected to complete by April 30.Ddungu said although the probe is not accessible to the public, its findings would be made public.

"The probe is not open to the public but the findings will be published," Ddungu said.

The disqualified committee, whose work started in January, was headed by retired High Court Judge Augustine Kania. Others were Makerere University law don Prof. Fredrick Jjuko, UN special rapporteur Dr Margret Ssekajja, and director of monitoring and inspection at Uganda Human Rights Commission Roseline Karugonjo Segawa.

Although the commitee was disbanded, court declined to halt the probe as requested by the two politicians. The judge noted LDC mandate to perform its duty, is enshrined in public trust, where it is expected to exhibit truthfulness.