New judges to be sworn in today
President Yoweri Museveni will today swear in 16 judges at the State House in Entebbe.<br>They include Justices Galdino Okello and Augustine Nshimye for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, respectively.
By Anne Mugisa
President Yoweri Museveni will today swear in 16 judges at the State House in Entebbe.
They include Justices Galdino Okello and Augustine Nshimye for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, respectively.
Those for the High Court are Joseph Murangira, Anup Singh Choudry, Elizabeth Musoke, Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, Owiny Dollo, Lawrence Gidudu, Wilson Kwesiga, Irene Mulyagonja Kakooza, Benjamin Kabiito, Zam Zam N. Kasujja, Elizabeth Ibanda Nahamya, Jane Kiggundu, Ralph Ochan and Alexandra Nkonge.
However, the Judiciary has said it lacks money for the new judges.
The under secretary, Elisha Tusingwire, told the parliamentary budget committee on Wednesday that it needed sh7b for the judges.
The money is for their salaries, buying vehicles, providing office space and other facilitation.
Tusingwire, who was presenting the Judiciary’s budget for the 2008/09 financial year, said the Ministry of Finance refused to allocate the funds.
But finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma said the budget was determined by the resource envelope.
“More funds were given to most pressing areas that would increase people’s incomes. They include agriculture, energy, infrastructure, education and health.â€
The new appointments are expected to ease the huge case backlog in the courts. There had been complaints that the serving judges were plagued by illness because of the workload pressure.
The High Court had a shortage of 17 judges excluding those serving in international jurisdictions, the Amnesty Commission and the Inspectorate of Government, who would push the vacancies to over 20.
The only court with its allotted judges is the Court of Appeal, which also doubles as the Constitutional Court.
President Yoweri Museveni will today swear in 16 judges at the State House in Entebbe.
They include Justices Galdino Okello and Augustine Nshimye for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, respectively.
Those for the High Court are Joseph Murangira, Anup Singh Choudry, Elizabeth Musoke, Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, Owiny Dollo, Lawrence Gidudu, Wilson Kwesiga, Irene Mulyagonja Kakooza, Benjamin Kabiito, Zam Zam N. Kasujja, Elizabeth Ibanda Nahamya, Jane Kiggundu, Ralph Ochan and Alexandra Nkonge.
However, the Judiciary has said it lacks money for the new judges.
The under secretary, Elisha Tusingwire, told the parliamentary budget committee on Wednesday that it needed sh7b for the judges.
The money is for their salaries, buying vehicles, providing office space and other facilitation.
Tusingwire, who was presenting the Judiciary’s budget for the 2008/09 financial year, said the Ministry of Finance refused to allocate the funds.
But finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma said the budget was determined by the resource envelope.
“More funds were given to most pressing areas that would increase people’s incomes. They include agriculture, energy, infrastructure, education and health.â€
The new appointments are expected to ease the huge case backlog in the courts. There had been complaints that the serving judges were plagued by illness because of the workload pressure.
The High Court had a shortage of 17 judges excluding those serving in international jurisdictions, the Amnesty Commission and the Inspectorate of Government, who would push the vacancies to over 20.
The only court with its allotted judges is the Court of Appeal, which also doubles as the Constitutional Court.