The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Judiciary seeks sh1.6b for judges security

The Judiciary is courting Parliament to approve a supplementary request of sh1.6b for the personal security of judges and other judicial officers.

Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny Dollo

This request is contained in the Supplementary Expenditure Schedule No.1 that was on Thursday, 23 March 2023 presented by Hon. Fox Odoi Oywelowo on behalf of the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs before the Committee on Budget.

ADVERTISEMENT

Odoi appealed to the Committee on Budget that is scrutinising the supplementary requests for different sectors to approve sh1.6b to enhance the personal security of judges.

The [Legal] committee was informed that judges and other judicial officers face security threats during the execution of their constitutional duties as a result of handling sensitive matters or cases…So, we recommend that sh1.65b supplementary be approved to ensure that the security of judges and other judicial officers is guaranteed,” he said.

He said in the recent past, there were attempts on the lives of judicial officers including the Principal Judge.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 2015, Joan Kagezi, a prosecutor was gunned down in Kiwatule, a suburb in Kampala.

Odoi said the money will cater for the procurement of specialised security equipment for the protection of judges.

Kira Municipality Member of Parliament, Ibrahim Ssemujju said the supplementary request does not cater for the security of all judges, but a few specific judges because of the specific assignments they were doing which came with threats.

Hon. Maxwell Akora (UPC, Maruzi County) rejected the request saying there is no need to militarise the judiciary that is mandated to dispense justice.

I wonder how judges get embroiled in security details whereas their job is to dispense justice. I think their security is better secured by fair judicial decisions and not military,” Akora said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Otuke County Member of Parliament, Hon. Paul Omara decried the increasing public expenditure resulting from the personal security of public officers.

We are creating a bad precedent for our country. One of the things we can’t afford is an overbearing public expenditure…Why have we created a situation in our country where the big people don’t feel safe?” said Omara.

Similarly, Uganda Police Force is seeking another Shs3.5 billion under the same supplementary request to purchase security vehicles for judges.

When MPs probed why two entities were requesting funds for the same activity, Odoi Oywelowo said the sh3.5b will be used by Police to purchase armoured vehicles and facilitation of bodyguards, while the Shs1.6 billion under Judiciary will specifically cater for procurement of classified equipment.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulse.ug

Recommended articles

Ugandan engineer advances to the finals of the Africa Prize Engineering Award

Ugandan engineer advances to the finals of the Africa Prize Engineering Award

Murdered minister Engola to be honoured as a hero

Murdered minister Engola to be honoured as a hero

Museveni in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19

Museveni in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19

Chaos as tycoon Hamis Kiggundu storms out of Supreme Court in protest

Chaos as tycoon Hamis Kiggundu storms out of Supreme Court in protest

Museveni tests positive for COVID-19

Museveni tests positive for COVID-19

New study reveals 6% of retired police officers commit suicide

New study reveals 6% of retired police officers commit suicide

Health ministry asks pre-medical interns to meet own internship costs

Health ministry asks pre-medical interns to meet own internship costs

60% of households in Uganda have seen their incomes grow, says Museveni

60% of households in Uganda have seen their incomes grow, says Museveni

Family to honor Kato Lubwama’s wish for prolonged funeral

Family to honor Kato Lubwama’s wish for prolonged funeral

Pulse Sports

Ibrahimovic's glamorous career in numbers

Ibrahimovic's glamorous career in numbers

PHOTOS: summer is here - Arsenal and Chelsea stars already enjoying the break

PHOTOS: summer is here - Arsenal and Chelsea stars already enjoying the break

Pulse Sports' Uganda Premier League Team of the Season

Pulse Sports' Uganda Premier League Team of the Season

ADVERTISEMENT