CSOs want Chief Justice seat filled

By Cecilia Okoth

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have expressed fears of a crisis in the judiciary due to the delayed appointment of a Chief Justice and a Deputy Chief Justice.

In a joint press conference held at the Human Rights Network Offices in Ntinda on Wednesday , Mohammed Ndifuna, the Managing Director HURINET, said the vacuum in the above offices continues to affect  the operations of the judiciary.

 “The Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice retired as the Constitution mandatorily requires upon the attainment of 70 years of age. We therefore demand that this crisis, be addressed with immediate effect,” he said.

Ndifuna who spoke on behalf of other CSO’s, said that the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court have had a long standing need for appointments to ensure that they are fully constituted as required by the Constitution.

Other CSO’s included, Uganda Law Society, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, FIDA-Uganda, Human Rights and Peace Centre, Centre for Constitutional Governance and Legal Aid Service Providers.