Justice Odoki pushes for better salary

Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki yesterday asked the government to increase salaries of judicial officers, but added that they would not sue it over reluctance to improve their remuneration.
Justice Odoki also said they will not go on to the streets to riot over the same.

“The terms and conditions of service for judicial officers have comparatively remained too uncompetitive to attract and retain quality judicial officers and yet, the public perception of the standing of the judicial officers, is very high,” the Chief Justice said during the 15th annual judges’ conference in Kampala yesterday.

“In addition, the cost of living is so high that the little the judicial officers get is easily eroded by inflation such that they are not able to meet their basic requirements yet they are restricted from carrying out any other business.

Salary reviews
It’s my appeal to all those, who are concerned that these salaries be revised to meet the rising cost of living and inflation in Uganda and more so, place the judicial officers where they belong.”
In the 2006/07 salary reviews, Chief Justice’s salary was fixed at Shs5.8 million, and Shs5.3 million for the deputy.

That of Principal Judge was fixed at Shs5 million while Supreme Court judges were earning Shs4.9 million. Court of Appeal justices were earning Shs4.7 million while those of High Court earned Shs4.5 million.

Vice-President Edward Ssekandi promised the more than 50 judicial officers to pursue their matter.
“I would like to state that the government is taking up these challenges and is working out appropriate solutions to address these challenges. I will follow up on these matters to ensure that they are implemented...” said Mr Ssekandi.

A year ago, Justice Odoki while speaking at a judges conference in Kampala, demanded for Shs50 million as his monthly salary. He said the Shs5 million he was earning was just pocket change for a lawyer.

awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com