Nyombi - Judiciary can work without a Chief Justice (CJ)

Attorney General Peter Nyombi has said the Judiciary, which has “struggled along” without a leader for almost two years, can still function without a substantive Chief Justice (CJ).

Attorney General Peter Nyombi

The AG’s pronouncement comes only weeks after judges said in the absence of the CJ, they are like sheep that are wandering without a shepherd.
Mr Nyombi ‘s sworn affidavit was filed at the High Court Civil Division in Kampala in response to a judicial review, among other things, seeking orders for quicker appointment of a substantive CJ and Deputy CJ on grounds that Justice Steven Kavuma is wrongfully acting in the two offices.
The Legal Brains Trust (LBT), a local civil society organisation that filed the application, contends that the delayed appointments “severely crippled and embarrassed the Judiciary”.

 The country has for nearly two years been without a substantive Chief Justice following the retirement of Justice Benjamin Odoki on March 23, 2013. He also served out his three months extension.
The President attempted to re-appoint Justice Odoki but the move was opposed by a section of the legal fraternity, including Uganda Law Society president Ruth Ssebatindira, who described the the continued lack of Chief Justice and Deputy as a “big elephant in the conference room”.