Members of the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA) have petitioned the High Court in Kampala, asking it to kick Pius Bigirimana, the permanent secretary out of office immediately arguing that his office is not recognized in the structure of the Judiciary.

In their petition, UJOA states that the Judiciary is not a ministry or a government department to have a permanent secretary.

The petition was filed on Monday, “ A declaration that the appointment and transfer of the respondent’s officer (Mr Bigirimana) as the permanent secretary to the Judiciary by His Excellency the President who is also represented by the respondent, to implement policies of government as illegal, ultra vires and irrational and is jeopardizing the independence of the Judiciary as the Judiciary is neither a department of government nor a ministry,” reads part of the petition.

UJOA is moving to place an injunction under Section 38 (2) of the Judicature Act that the permanent secretary should vacate immediately as the Judiciary is neither a ministry nor a government department to have a permanent secretary as per Article 174 of the constitution, section 10 of the Public Service Act but should be treated as independent as provided under Article 128 of the constitution.”

Bigirimana was transferred from the ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development to the Judiciary in July this year.

UJOA is comprised of lawyers, judges, and other people in the judicial trade.