Examining the role of the judicial service commission in combating corruption in the judiciary in Uganda

Abstract

This dissertation examines the role of Uganda‘s Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in combating judicial corruption, a pervasive issue that undermines the rule of law and public trust in the judiciary among other things. Despite being endowed by the 1995 Constitution to ensure integrity within the judiciary, the JSC‘s effectiveness remains deeply contested. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining a doctrinal analysis of legal frameworks with qualitative insights from key informant interviews thereby providing a multi-faceted perspective on the Commission's operations. The analysis reveals that the JSC has established a two prone strategy against corruption. Its preventive mechanisms include public education campaigns, sensitisation workshops and a rigorous vetting process for recruiting judicial officers while reactive measures involve a formal complaints system and disciplinary proceedings that can lead to different sanctions including dismissal. However, the study identifies critical challenges that cripple the JSC's efficacy. Paramount issues include the enduring executive influence over the Commission reflected in the appointment process of its members and the President's role in judicial appointments, operational weaknesses such as the part-time status of most commissioners, severe underfunding and reliance on manual systems for handling complaints. This thesis argues that the fight against judicial corruption requires more than a legal mandate; it demands genuine institutional autonomy, enhanced operational capacity and a transparent, consistent application of disciplinary measures across all levels of the judiciary. This research contributes to the discourse on judicial governance by highlighting the complex realities that constrain constitutional bodies in transitional democracies and offers pragmatic recommendations for strengthening judicial accountability in Uganda.

Keywords: Judicial Service Commission, Judicial corruption, Uganda, Anti-corruption, Rule of Law, Accountability