Museveni For Independent Judiciary
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to an independent judiciary.
By Okello Jabweli
and Solomon Muyita
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to an independent judiciary.
The President gave the assurance on Tuesday to 45 judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court at State House, Nakasero.
A State House press release said Museveni commended judges for their good work but advised them to administer justice according to the values, norms and aspirations of the people of Uganda.
The Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki, led the judges to the meeting.
The meeting was a culmination of a long-running standoff between the President and the judges.
Museveni has repeatedly criticised the judiciary as unprofessional and biased against the Movement government. He has on various occasions described judges as DP or UPC sympathisers.
In a memorandum read out by Odoki, the judges called for the recruitment of more judges, magistrates and support staff to improve service delivery.
They urged the Government to consider raising salaries and allowances for judicial officials and the finalising retirement benefits for judges.
The judges asked the Government to give them new vehicles. They also asked government officials to settle the matter of their tax exemption and desist from unfairly criticising the judiciary.
The team stressed the need for legal reform to increase jurisdiction of magistrates and repeal outdated laws.
Museveni said the Government would increase the number of judges from 30 to 50 to expedite the administration of justice.
He challenged the judiciary to ensure that obsolete laws are amended.
He welcomed the establishment of commercial courts throughout the country and urged investors to use them.
Ends
and Solomon Muyita
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to an independent judiciary.
The President gave the assurance on Tuesday to 45 judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court at State House, Nakasero.
A State House press release said Museveni commended judges for their good work but advised them to administer justice according to the values, norms and aspirations of the people of Uganda.
The Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki, led the judges to the meeting.
The meeting was a culmination of a long-running standoff between the President and the judges.
Museveni has repeatedly criticised the judiciary as unprofessional and biased against the Movement government. He has on various occasions described judges as DP or UPC sympathisers.
In a memorandum read out by Odoki, the judges called for the recruitment of more judges, magistrates and support staff to improve service delivery.
They urged the Government to consider raising salaries and allowances for judicial officials and the finalising retirement benefits for judges.
The judges asked the Government to give them new vehicles. They also asked government officials to settle the matter of their tax exemption and desist from unfairly criticising the judiciary.
The team stressed the need for legal reform to increase jurisdiction of magistrates and repeal outdated laws.
Museveni said the Government would increase the number of judges from 30 to 50 to expedite the administration of justice.
He challenged the judiciary to ensure that obsolete laws are amended.
He welcomed the establishment of commercial courts throughout the country and urged investors to use them.
Ends