On Friday President Museveni put a signature on the judicial administration bill so that it becomes a law.
President Museveni has assented to the administration Judicial Bill, 2018 into law. The Parliament early in early June passed the bill that gives independence of the judiciary as the third arm of the government under the separation of power doctrine.
On Friday President put a signature on the judicial administration bill so that it becomes a law.
The newly signed law provides for independence and strengthens the Judiciary. It also provides guidelines and references for the justice and legal system by showing the control divisions, conditions for sentencing, trials and fees for courts.
The Judicial administration law shows the provisions of the constitution relating to administration, judiciary, justice, improve efficiency and effectiveness of the courts, streamlines their administration and strengthen the independence of the courts.
President Museveni signed the bill into law at a time when the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe has retired from the judiciary after clocking a mandatory age of 60.
The constitution of Uganda says that the justices of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal retire at the age of 70 years, High Court judge at 65 and magistrates and registrars at 60. This was a perfect gift for the outgoing Chief Judge since he was its biggest proponent.
The administration bill has been one of the issues Katureebe has greatly advocated for during his tenure in office. Whenever the Chief Judge met with the government officials especially legislatures and cabinet ministers he always advocated for the judicial officer’s welfare and this could be ensured bypassing the Judiciary Administration Bill.
In the new Administration Judiciary law, the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice will get a full package of monthly salary for life.
Their monthly salary will be equivalent to that of the current Chief Judge in office and the Deputy Chief Judge.
William Byaruhanga the Attorney General recently said that this bill and now the law is meant to reward the outgoing judicial officers for their services they render for almost their entire life to serving the nation.
“There monthly payment of the retiring judicial officers is important since these officers retire when they too old and grown and it’s hard to look for other employment to meet their needs. This kind of life they live and sitting for many hours listening to cases and writing judgments they are prone to lifestyle diseases but this assures them of a decent life after retirement,” Byaruhanga said.
