Muslim Legislators To Block New Judges

Advertisements

Last week, President Yoweri Museveni submitted a list of 28 new judges to the Speaker of Parliament for approval. However, in a petition presented to Ms Rebecca Kadaga by Parliament Imam Latif Ssebaggala who is the Kawempe North, the MPs complained that they responded to the advert by the Judicial Service Commission and their names were sent to the President only to be removed under unclear circumstances.

Legislators belonging to the Muslim faith yesterday petitioned the Speaker of Parliament protesting “discrimination and marginalisation” in the appointment of the new judges and demanded that the planned vetting process be stopped until further notice.

Mr Ssebaggala said the marginalisation of Muslims in the appointment of the 28 judges offends the Constitution., while Citing Articles 21 (2) and 32(3) of the 1995 Constitution.

However a senior official at Judicial Service Commission told our reporter that not more than three Muslims applied and the reason is that many Muslim lawyers are unwilling to leave private practice and work for Shs5m which is the salary for a judge.