Court Orders for Mediation in Judicial Officers’ Case

High Court judge Musa Ssekana has ordered both sides in the case in which judicial officers challenge the position of Judiciary Permanent Secretary, to embrace negotiations before the hearing of the main case.

In this case, Judicial officers at all levels under their umbrella body of Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA) petitioned High Court challenging the position of Permanent Secretary, with the argument that it is not known in the judiciary’s structure.

These  note that the Judiciary is neither a Ministry nor a government department to have a permanent secretary.

Both parties yesterday agreed that since this is a matter of great public concern, mediation should be given a chance.

With the applicants’ lawyers led by Gawaya Tegulle and George Kalemera, and the Attorney General’s representatives in court, the judge gave the parties a one-month period with in which they have to conclude the mediation.

It’s after this period that they will return to court and report the outcomes of the negotiation process.

This matter was formerly before Justice Lydia Mugambe but being that she was transferred to Criminal Division in the recent changes, the file was allocated to another judge.

The position of Permanent Secretary to the Judiciary is currently held by Mr Pius Bigirimana who was bought in from the Ministry of Gender last year.