Museveni Picks Justice Oder To Head JSC

By Richard Mutumba PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has nominated Supreme Court Judge Arthur Oder to be chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Oder will replace Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki if approved by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments. Justice Christine Kitumba has hitherto been acting chairperson. Oder is one of the three presidential nominees to be vetted today (Wednesday) by the appointments committee. Others are Sister Margaret Magoba, nominated as Commissioner on the Uganda Human Rights Commission and Bikyetero Eragu for the Uganda Electoral Commission. President Museveni appointed Oder a member of the JSC two months ago. He is one of the long serving judges. The main function of the JSC is to advise the President in the exercise of his power in the appointment of judges and other judicial officers. The commission is also responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on the terms and conditions of the service of judges and other officers. Magoba, currently the headmistress of Immaculate Heart Nyakibale in Rukungiri, was nominated to replace Faith Mwondha as a Commissioner in the Uganda Human Rights Commission. Mwondha is now a High Court judge. A Kampala lawyer, Eragu Bikyetero, was also nominated by the President as Commissioner on the Electoral Commission. If approved by Parliament, Bikyetero will replace Mary Maitum, now a High Court judge. Ends