| Lands Ministry To Run Tribunals |
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TOUGH DEFENCE: Lands state minister Baguma Isoke before MPs on Friday |
By Milton Olupot
THE Parliamentary Committee on natural resources on Friday adopted an amendment to the Land Act shifting land tribunals from the Judiciary to the Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment.
After a two-day debate between MPs and the ministry officials, the committee reluctantly allowed an amendment shifting the powers to appoint and manage land tribunals from the Judiciary.
The committee, chaired by Ndawula Kaweesi (Kiboga West), earlier quizzed state minister for lands Baguma Isoke and senior registrars of titles Sarah Kulata and Jonathan Tibisaasa, who appeared before it to defend the proposed amendment.
The minister and his technical team argued that the creation of the land tribunals was meant to establish institutions easily approachable by the ordinary people.
However, MPs argued that the existing tribunals had already been appointed by the Chief Justice on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
They said the ame!
ndment would create two hierarchies and categories of judicial officers holding the same office on the same terms.
Dr. Francis Epetait (Ngora), Nsubuga Nsambu (Makindye West), and Umar Lule (Kalungu East) had argued that the appointment of judicial officers by the minister would compromise the independence of the tribunals. Ends
Published on: Monday, 17th February, 2003
http://www.newvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=8&newsCategoryId=13&newsId=116370 |
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