The Weekly Observer (Kampala)
Michael Mubangizi
28 February 2008
Kampala — President Museveni has appointed eight judicial officers to serve as interim justices of the Supreme Court to dispose of six cases.
The cases include that of Brig. Henry Tumukunde who is challenging his removal from Parliament where he was Army Representative in 2005, and that of Joy Kabatsi challenging the election of Sembabule Woman MP Anifa Kawoya.
The interim Supreme Court judges are; Principal Judge James Ogoola, Justice Galdino Okello (Court of Appeal), and Justice Egonda Ntende (High Court).
Others are Lady Justice Alice Mpagi Bahigeine (Court of Appeal), Justice George Engwau (Court of Appeal), Justice Christine Kitumba (Court of Appeal), and Lady Justice Constance Byamugisha (Court of Appeal).
Other cases they are to handle include; Attorney General Vs Kigula and others; Attorney General Vs Uganda Law Society, and Attorney General Vs Masalu Musene and others.
With the Supreme Court lacking some members and petitioners awaiting judgment on appeals emanating from the Court of Appeal, the Constitution empowers the President to appoint acting justices of the Supreme Court.
Announcing the appointments early this week, Judicial Service Commission Secretary, John Muhanguzi Kashaka, noted that the Supreme Court is currently short of two members following the death of Justice Arthur Oder and retirement of Justice Alfred Karokora.
The President appoints judicial officers on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
Asked about the criteria the President used to determine cases to benefit from these interim measures, Muhanguzi said the Chief Justice informs the Commission of cases that require urgent intervention.
"Some cases like election petitions have time frames in which they have to be disposed of...if you allow me to speculate, Kenya violence arose because Raila Odinga refused to go to court saying it will take him longer."
Asked about the often delayed appointment of judicial officers even after names have been forwarded to the President, Muhanguzi said:
"We have already sent in those names, and that is where our work stops." A list of 16 nominees was indeed sent to Parliament for vetting last week. They include Justice Galdino Okello of the Court of Appeal who is being recommended for promotion to the Supreme Court.
As he awaits confirmation, Okello is one of the interim judges being asked to handle urgent Supreme Court cases.
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