I am happy Judiciary clashes with other gov’t arms ended, says Mao

The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao has said he is happy that there are no longer clashes between the judiciary and other arms of government as it used to be in the past.

“In the four months I have been in office, I have noted with relief and pleasure that there is very little friction between the Judiciary and other branches of government. We feel that there is greater respect for Judges,” Mao said.

He was on Wednesday speaking during  a function where newly appointed judges took oath at State House in Entebbe.

Mao also announced that the new structure of the judiciary is in the offing to ensure that judges appointed have the necessary support but also extended gratitude for the support given to his ministry since assuming office.

At the same function, President Museveni asked the judiciary to help the economy flourish by doing a diagnostic analysis of the society as they adjudicate matters .

The president who was meeting the newly appointed Justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal at State House, Entebbe took them through the economic history of the country pointing out that the economy had virtually collapsed.

He said the British had left behind what they dubbed at the University as an enclave economy of 3Cs including coffee, copper and cotton and 3Ts including tobacco, tea and tourism.

The president noted that when NRM came to power in 1986, government aimed at reversing the whole process and concentrated on four principle areas that included  minimum recovery, expansion of the economy, its diversification and promoting qualitative economy based on knowledge like the innovation of electric mobility.

He stressed that diagnostical analysis of society is always done by the political leadership that include the executive, legislature and the judiciary who act as medical doctors observing that if the diagnosis is wrongly done, the economy will collapse but if done correctly the economy will flourish.

The president congratulated the newly appointed judges and commended the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo for improving the performance of the judiciary.

“I really congratulate the new judges and I want to thank the Chief Justice for the passion he has put in making the judiciary effective,” he said.

On some of the concerns raised by the judicial officers especially those bearing some financial implications in the judiciary, President Museveni pledged to convene a meeting of all the arms of government to collectively agree on how to pave a way forward for further improvement of their performance.

Th Chief Justice Owiny Dollo thanked President Museveni for his unwavering support that has changed the performance of the Judiciary for the better.

“With the enhanced budget we have been able to double the number of judicial officers,” he said.

He added that High Court circuits were created in Moroto, Tororo, Iganga, Bulemezi, Rukungiri and in Hoima.

The Minister for Justice , Norbert Mao applauded the president for his support to the Judiciary noting that services have tremendously improved.

“We have received unprecedented support from you personally, the executive and parliament as manifested in the improved terms of service and improved infrastructural development,” he noted.

The new judges

The three new Justices of the Supreme Court sworn in on Wednesday included Lady Justice Elizabeth Musoke, Justice Stephen Musota and  Justice Madrama Christopher Martin Izama.

Others were Justice Eva Luswata Kauma and Justice Oscar John Kihika of the Court of Appeal.

The oaths were administered by the Judiciary Chief Registrar, Sarah Langa Siu.

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, the Principal Judge Dr. Justice Flavian Zeija, the Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission Justice Benjamin Kabiito and the Deputy Head of Public Service Deborah Katuramu.

Others included; the Secretary to the Judiciary, Pius Bigirimana.