Parliament to Vet Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice

Member of Parliament on March 18, 2015 vetted the newly appointed Chief Justice, Hon. Bart M. Katureebe and Deputy, Hon. Justice Steven Kavuma.

The Appointments Committee of Parliament headed by the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga also vetted some of the ministerial appointees.

Besides the Speaker, the Committee is also composed of Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, Leader of Opposition, Wafula Oguttu and 20 other MPs designated by Party Whips on the numerical strength of the Parties and interests of Independent Members.

Parliament Spokesperson, Ms. Helen Kawesa, told the media on Tuesday that the Committee would start the vetting exercise with the Chief Justice followed by the Deputy Chief Justice.

The Committee is mandated to approve on behalf of Parliament, the appointment of persons nominated for appointment by the President under the Constitution or any other appointment required to be approved by Parliament under any law.

The Committee also deals with any question which arises under clause (4) of Article 113 of the Constitution as to whether or not any office is an office of profit or emolument, the holding of which is likely to compromise the office of a Minister or a public officer.

Meetings of the Committee are convened by the Speaker and in his or her absence, by the Deputy Speaker.

According to the rules, the Chairperson of the Committee reports to the House any appointment approved by the Committee and such reports are not subjected to debate.

Hon. Justice Katureebe and Hon. Justice Kavuma were on March 5, 2015 appointed chief justice and deputy chief justice, respectively, by President Yoweri Museveni. If approved by Parliament, Hon. Justice Katureebe, a member of the Supreme Court, will replace the former Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Benjamin Odoki, who retired in March 2013.

Hon. Justice Kavuma, the most senior member of Uganda’s Court of Appeal, has been the acting chief justice since mid-2013 when Justice Odoki retired. Once approved by Parliament, Hon. Justice Kavuma will replace the retired Hon. Lady Justice Alice Mpagi-Bahigeine, who retired in October 2012.