The European Union is set to become the newest donor\r\nof Uganda’s Justice, Law and Order Sector starting next year, reveals EU’s head\r\nof delegation to Uganda.
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Kristian Schmidt, who made a courtesy call to Uganda’s\r\nnew Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart M. Katureebe at his Supreme Court chambers in Kololo,\r\nKampala, said that the EU would take over the chairmanship of the JLOS Basket\r\nFund from Ireland. A donor who contributes more to the Basket Fund usually chairs\r\nit.
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The EU boss said his interaction with the chief\r\njustice was to understand his Vision for the Judiciary, particularly on how he\r\nintended to enhance public confidence and trust in the 3rd arm of\r\nthe state. "We need to see a more proactive approach on some of these issues.\r\nWe would like you to strengthen JLOS as the chairman,” said the EU ambassador.
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Hon. Justice Katureebe was later hosted as chief guest to\r\nthe EU Ambassadors’ monthly meeting at the Ambassador’s residence in Kololo on\r\nApril 21. The luncheon was attended by the ambassadors of Austria, Belgium,\r\nGermany, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, United Kingdom, Netherlands and\r\nFrance.
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Prior to the April 21 meet, the Danish Ambassador to\r\nUganda, Dan E.\r\nFrederiksen, paid a separate courtesy\r\ncall to the chief justice. The two discussed a cross-section of issues, including\r\nthe need to speed-up the Uganda Good Governance (UGOGO) Programme that has for\r\nmany years been bankrolled by the Danish Government and the future of Danish\r\nsupport to Uganda.
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Ambassador Frederiksen, whose Tour of\r\nDuty to Uganda ends this July, also revealed that Uganda stands to get more\r\nfunding from the Danish government for the Judiciary, if there is speedy\r\nimplementation of the ongoing UGOGO work plan.
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The Judiciary has, through the UGOGO Program, implemented\r\na number of "access to justice” initiatives, including the construction of many\r\ncourt houses. The ambassador said his government recognizes Judiciary’s central\r\nrole in the promotion of good governance in the country.
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Hon. Justice Katureebe assured his visitors of the\r\nJudiciary's commitment to the project and strengthening the rule of law. He\r\nsaid he would prioritize the corruption fight, the strengthening the\r\nInspectorate of Courts, and implementing the Performance Enhancement Tool\r\nintended to promote performance targets for all judicial officers, among others.
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Uganda’s JLOS has been financially unsound following\r\nthe massive withdraw of funding by some of the donors following the passing of\r\nthe Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014 on 24 February 2014. The law was\r\nhowever invalidated by the Constitutional Court of Uganda on 1 August 2014.
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The Chief Justice chairs the JLOS Leadership Committee.\r\nThe Committee comprises of all heads of 17 JLOS institutions, and is responsible\r\nfor the articulation of the JLOS Vision and Sector development policy. It is\r\nalso ultimately accountable for the delivery of JLOS services in the country\r\nand is responsible for political leadership and guidance to the sector.
Posted 22nd, April 2015
