MPs deplore unfavourable conditions at JSC

Legal and Parliamentary Committee members were left shocked by what they described as unbearable conditions under which the staff and the commissioners of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) carry out their day to day work.

The Members of Parliament (MPs), led by Kaberamaido County MP Veronica Eragu Bichetero,  were yesterday (Tuesday) being taken on a familialisation guided tour of the JSC's offices that are located on the ground floor and the basement of its headquarters, housed in the Farmers House on Parliament Avenue.

Led by the Under Secretary JSC Dr Rose Nassali Lukwago, the MPs expressed shock to see that several offices are located in the basement, which was principally constructed to be stores for lint under Lint Marketing Board.

The MPs, who toured the place in company of the chairman of the JSC, High Court Judge Benjamin Kabiito and the commissioners, deplored the condition of the stores that were turned into offices, but without ventilators or windows.

Justice Kabiito said that they urgently need to have their own home with conducive working environment.

The legislators, whose committee is particularly responsible for ensuring that the JSC is well housed in a conducive atmosphere and environment, also expressed concern over lack of air conditioners and fans in the stuffy rooms where, if power went off, they become as dark as a tunnel.

They also expressed concern over the peeling off of paint on walls of some offices because of the dampness caused by the water that goes through them from the top when it rains. They also noticed that the building lacked extinguishers in case of fire, particularly in the basement where the IT department is also located with its sensitive gadgets.

The property is being managed by the Uganda Property Holdings whose offices are located in the same building. The company also manages all the Government buildings in and outside Uganda.

After the tour the legislators entered an exclusive meeting with the members of the JSC where the journalists were barred to sit.