Judicial officers want tax exemption

Oct 26, 2004

JUDICIAL officers have asked the Constitutional Court to exempt them from taxes, saying the Income Tax Act violates the Constitution.

By Hillary Nsambu

JUDICIAL officers have asked the Constitutional Court to exempt them from taxes, saying the Income Tax Act violates the Constitution.

They said Act 128 (7) of the Constitution protects the salaries, allowances, privileges and retirement benefits of judicial officers from being taxed to their disadvantage.

Wilson Masalu (Supreme Court Registrar), John Keitirima (Commercial Court Assistant Registrar), Ronald Ssekaggya and magistrates Muhiirwa Araali, presented the petition on Monday.

They said protecting the salaries of judicial officers and giving them financial security would strengthen the independence of the Judiciary.
They asked court to nullify the Income Tax Act against judicial officers.

However, Principal State Attorneys Okello Oryem and Robinah Rwakojo, asked the court to dismiss the petition, saying the Constitution provided for certain categories of judicial officers, but not all.

The justices said they would give a final judgment on a date to be announced later.

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