The salary of Justice Esther Kisakye, a dissenting Supreme Court judge in National Unity Platform (NUP) 2021 presidential election candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s petition, has been denied her salary.
It is said that Justice Kisakye had been away from work for medical reasons, only for the judiciary to later inform her that her salary has been held for spending many months without working.
While nobody would force her to work if she was indeed sick, Justice Kisakye reportedly failed to offer proper notice when she apparently needed to request for more time.
Her matter has since earned the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) the criticism and the Judiciary the criticism of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) which says that the judge had been unfairly and arbitrarily treated.
A body of about 60 eminent judges and advocates drawn from across the world, the ICJ issued a statement on August 30 in which they castigated Uganda’s judiciary and the JSC for reportedly witch-hunting Justice Kisakye over her dissenting views in the 2021 presidential election petition.
“ICJ has received reports indicating that a disciplinary inquiry was initiated by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following Justice Kisakye’s decision to deliver her dissenting judgment in one of the 2021 presidential election petitions,” the commission of jurists wrote at the end of last month.
“Reports received by ICJ indicate that Justice Kisakye is now being investigated by the JSC on charges that are yet to be disclosed to Justice Kisakye and the public. The ICJ also understands that the payment of Justice Kisakye’s salary, housing, medical and other benefits has been stopped since July 2022 by the Secretary to the Judiciary, on allegations that she has been away from her duties without official leave since September 2021.”
ICJ Africa Director Ramathan Kaajal called for clarity on the charges against Kisakye.
Kaajal expressed concern that the alleged with hunting of Kisakye over her views was indicative nof a biased judiciary.
“ICJ is concerned about these reports as they suggest violations of Uganda’s obligations, under African and universal international human rights law, to ensure due process and the right to a fair hearing for any person accused of criminal or ethical misconduct,” wrote Kaajal.
“Any charges against Justice Kisakye should be clearly stated and the evidence substantiated, presented and subject to challenge. These reports also suggest interference with the independence of the judiciary.”
- It should be remembered that there was drama in the Supreme Court when Justice Kisakye accused Fhier Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo of confiscating a copy of her ruling. Kisakye would later accuse the Chief Justice of using barbaric means. (Read Stories Here and There).
Esther Kisakye is the most experienced Justice of Uganda’s Supreme Court. (Read Her Profile Here).
