Judicial Service Commission was not independent!
Dec 08, 2004
SIR— It was reported in The New Vision of November 30 that the Judicial Service Commission had recommended several members of the Bar for appointment to the Bench, but the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mrs Janat Mukwaya, had rejected some of the nominees.
SIR— It was reported in The New Vision of November 30 that the Judicial Service Commission had recommended several members of the Bar for appointment to the Bench, but the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mrs Janat Mukwaya, had rejected some of the nominees.
It has transpired that the minister made this revelation at Munyonyo on November 29 in the presence of the Chief Justice, Mr Benjamin Odoki.
Apart from judicial officers of the Magistrates Courts, all other appointments to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court are made by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission and the approval of Parliament.
In my view, the conduct of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is unconstitutional and undermines the rule of law.
The Constitution states that in the performance of its role, the Judicial Service Commission is independent.
D. A. Lwanga
Advocate, Kampala
It has transpired that the minister made this revelation at Munyonyo on November 29 in the presence of the Chief Justice, Mr Benjamin Odoki.
Apart from judicial officers of the Magistrates Courts, all other appointments to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court are made by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission and the approval of Parliament.
In my view, the conduct of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is unconstitutional and undermines the rule of law.
The Constitution states that in the performance of its role, the Judicial Service Commission is independent.
D. A. Lwanga
Advocate, Kampala