Government is still stuck with the administration of Judiciary Bill, as Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling NRM party disagree on the welfare of the retiring judges.
While speaking to the parliamentary reporters, at the Office of the President, the government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa, said that some of the contentious issues are rotating on the welfare of the judicial officers, such as continuing getting the same salary when they retire, plus catering for unlimited spouses and dependents who have not attained the age of 18 years.
Ms Nankabirwa noted that the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Mr Kahinda Otafire justified the benefits for retiring judges as people who entirely depend on their salary since they do not have any other source of income because their code of conduct does not allow them to engage in any business, while at work.
She, however, said that her office will continue engaging MPs on the matter in order to come up with a harmonized position.
Parliament has on three occasions since the beginning of this year failed to debate the report on the Bill by the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee chaired by West Budama South MP, Jacob Oboth Marksons with the government side seeking more time to harmonize with legislators outside parliament.
The committee had recommended to parliament to pass the Administration of Judiciary Bill which seeks to provide for and strengthen the independence of the Judiciary. It is meant to operationalize articles in the constitution that deal with the Judiciary as an independent arm of government.
The Bill also seeks to create guidelines and reference for a legal and justice system by spelling out jurisdiction divisions, conditions for trials, sentencing and court fees.
Despite the committee’s approval of the Bill, majority legislators in parliament according to Nankabirwa are still opposed to a clause on the retirement benefits for judicial officers, which has been subject of contention for a long time.
The clause which was first approved by cabinet before the Bill was tabled before parliament proposes that retiring judicial officers leave with their full benefits in addition to wages given to their spouses and children.
However, MPs in last week’s caucus meeting failed to build consensus on the clause.
Earlier, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga expressed concern over the continued delays to debate and pass the Administration of Judiciary Bill. She said that the harmonization on different clauses can be done on the floor of parliament since a report had been already presented. She warned that the Bill was to be debated at the next appearance on the order paper without fail.
