The Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga has expressed discontent with certain court directives that attempt to curtail the work of the legislature.
Kadaga speaking on Monday at celebrations to open the New Law Year 2018 at Kampala High Court premises was referring to a court order that summoned her to appear before the High Court over her suspension of six opposition legislators during debate on the age limit bill.
“I think there is a need for arms of the state to give each other space. A court cannot order the Speaker to close the House and come and attend a court session,” said Rebecca Kadaga.
The MPs were suspended for seven sittings during heated debate on the Bill after the majority and minority reports on the Bill were tabled for debate.
They wanted court to declare their suspension invalid and to order the Speaker to rescind her decision and allow them back in the House.
The matter has since been refered to the Constitutional Court for interpretation but Kadaga has since refused to appear.
Judiciary Administration Bill ready to be debated by Parliament
During the opening of the new year, the Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana has also announced that the Administration of the Judiciary Bill was discussed by Cabinet last week and has now been forwarded to parliament.
Mwesigwa also says the judiciary will have its own headquarters at Naguru aside from the proposed one stop center for all government ministries. This he says is due to the peculiar nature of the Judiciary.
The deputy AG reveals that the government is to lift a ban on recruitment of new staff in order to fill new approved structures such as the increment of High Court judges from 49 to 82 and magisterial areas from 38 to 82.
The Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi is the chief guest at the launch of the new law year presided over by the chief Justice Bart Katureebe.
Also in attendance is Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala.
At this function, the Judiciary accounts to the public for the authority and resources entrusted to it by the people.
Speaking after the deputy AG Speaker Kadaga also promised full support for the administration of Judiciary Bill once it is tabled on the floor, she however expressed discontent with certain court directives that attempt to curtail the work of the legislature.
