KAMPALA – The Judiciary Terms and Reference Committee discussed the operationalization of the Administration of Judiciary Act and the roadmap to its actualization.
During the meeting on Wednesday at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala, the Chairperson of the Committee, Court of Appeal’s Justice, Geoffrey Kiryabwire, commended the members’ hard-work, which earned them a new tenure. “…Top Management also extended the tenure of this Committee on terms and conditions of service to the 23rd of January 2023 to oversee the operationalization of the Administration of Judiciary Act,” he said.
Justice Kiryabwire, said Statutory Instrument No. 2 of 2020 signed on May 29 gave the 11-member committee a new lease of life.
It’s members include Justices; Remmy Kasule, Peter Adonyo, Margaret Tibulya, John Keitirima, Margaret Mutonyi, Gadenya Paul Wolimbwa. Judiciary Permanent Secretary/Secretary to Judiciary, Pius Bigirimana, Acting Chief Registrar, Tom Chemutai, and Deputy Registrars Fred Waninda and Samuel Emokor are the other members. The Committee has equally co-opted administrative staff.
Key among the resolutions of the meeting is the recommendation to the Chief Justice to fast-track the composition of the Judiciary Council by September (next month). The Act provides for the Judiciary Council as the top most advisory organ to the Chief Justice on matters of planning and development, ethics and Integrity, finance and Administration, and operations in the Judiciary.
For the roadmap to be realized, the Committee called for the establishment of statutory and operational committees, adoption of a working structure and considering the relevant Regulations needed for the implementation of the provisions of this Act.
General consensus was that consultations and sensitisation of various stakeholders; Judicial Officers both in service and retired, staff and JLOS players, will play a vital role in ensuring a smooth transition.
The Committee also resolved that there was need to for officially recognize and appreciate all those who contributed to getting the Bill passed into an Act of law right from the Judiciary, Parliament, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Service and other institutions.
The Act was assented to by the President on the June 19, 2020, this same date was gazzetted as its date of commencement.
Deliberations on the Administration of Judiciary Act will continue this afternoon
