This is a Commission established by Article 146 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. It was established to actualize the independence of the judiciary as one of the arms of government-the others being the Executive and the Legislature. It is an independent Commission not subject to the control or direction of any person or authority in the performance of its duties.

The Commission is composed of nine members as follows:
How can the judicial service commission help you?
Receives and processes your complaints or recommendations about the Judiciary and the Administration of Justice.

Write a complaint/recommendation addressed to the Secretary Judicial Service Commission at The Farmers House, Plot 6-8 Parliamentary Avenue, P.O. Box 7679 Kampala or alternatively place your complaint/recommendation in the Complaints/Suggestion boxes found at the office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) from where it will be collected.
Collection of complaints/recommendations is done regularly by Commission Officers who are the only ones authorised to open the said boxes.
If your complaint/recommendation is oral and you have approached the office of the Chief Administrative Officer you will be helped to have it reduced into writing.
It is important to note that your complaint/recommendation must relate to

1. Courts
2. Tribunals
3.  The administration of Justice.

If your complaint is found out side i, ii, and iii above, it shall be rejected and you will be notified in writing. The Commission will however direct you to where you can best be served.
Your complaint/recommendation must clearly indicate your address or physical location so that you can be contacted easily.
In the case of complaints, they must be against persons appointed by The JSC or those appointed on the recommendation of the JSC.
What must the complaint/suggestion be about?
The Complaint may be based on any one or more of the grounds below;

Complaint/suggestions made to the JSC may either be oral or written provided always that all oral complaints/suggestions are reduced in writing in accordance with the prescribed complaints/suggestions form or in form of a letter based on those lines.

Who can help you write a complaint/suggestion?
For those unable to write, an oral complaint may be made to the authorized person at the Commission

Complaints may be lodged at the headquarters of the Judicial Service Commission. The headquarters are located on the Ground Floor, Farmers House, Plot 6/7 Parliamentary Avenue, P.O. Box 7679 Kampala.
Up country complainants may deposit their complaints in the Complaint/Suggestion boxes at the office of the Chief Administrative Officers.

Who may be a Subject of Complaint?
All manner of persons may make a complaint to the Judicial Service Commission against any category of judicial officials stated below;

Who can file a complaint?

1. Any individual, persons, organization or institution aggrieved by improper conduct of a judicial officer or with a complaint concerning the Judiciary and /or the administration of justice may make a complaint to the Judicial Service Commission.
2. If the aggrieved party cannot make a complaint on his or her own behalf, a relative, friend, legal representative may submit a complaint on his/her behalf.

A person may ask the officer for his/her identity document, showing his name and photograph before answering. If the officer refuses to show it, the person need not give his or her name and address. Even plain clothes Police must carry identity documents. If the Police officer identifies himself the person must give his or her name and address. Failure to do so may result into being detained.

What if I do not want to say anything more than names and address?
Police may not force you to answer further questions. The person may agree to answer further questions or agree to do so only in the presence of his or her lawyer. Whenever possible, it is wise to consult a lawyer before deciding. However, since most people do not have money to have a lawyer, attempts should be made to get legal aid services where that is possible. Where it is not possible to secure legal aid services, the suspect should try to answer those questions that will not incriminate him or her.

Is Police allowed to Assault people?
The Police are not allowed to assault people for failing to answer questions or refusing to make statements although, they may use reasonable force against people who resist arrest. If a person is assaulted, he or she should report the assault to a senior Police officer, see a doctor and a lawyer as soon as possible. The assaulted person should also tell the Magistrate when he or she appears in court.

A person may ask the officer for his/her identity document, showing his name and photograph before answering. If the officer refuses to show it, the person need not give his or her name and address. Even plain clothes Police must carry identity documents. If the Police officer identifies himself the person must give his or her name and address. Failure to do so may result into being detained.

What if I do not want to say anything more than names and address?
Police may not force you to answer further questions. The person may agree to answer further questions or agree to do so only in the presence of his or her lawyer. Whenever possible, it is wise to consult a lawyer before deciding. However, since most people do not have money to have a lawyer, attempts should be made to get legal aid services where that is possible. Where it is not possible to secure legal aid services, the suspect should try to answer those questions that will not incriminate him or her.

An arrest will be unlawful for example where:
a) There are no reasonable grounds for suspecting that the person has committed a crime.
b) The purpose of the arrest is not to take the person to court to stand trial, but to merely intimidate the person.
c) The person is not told why he or she is under arrest, and the person is not caught committing the crime

Who issues a warrant of arrest?
This is a document giving a Police officer power to arrest a person and to bring him or her before the court.

Who issues a warrant of arrest?
This is a document giving a Police officer power to arrest a person and to bring him or her before the court.

When can a police officer arrest without a warrant?
A Police officer may only arrest a person without a warrant if the Police officer witnesses a crime or is acting upon

If the person being arrested resists or tries to run away after becoming aware of the arrest, the Police may use force. When force is used, it must be reasonable.

What is reasonable force?
This is the force used in effecting an arrest that should not exceed what is necessary to stop the person from resisting or running away.

What is the aim of an arrest?
Usually, a person may only be arrested in order to be taken to court on a criminal charge or as a suspect in a criminal investigation. An arrest for any other purpose is unlawful. For example, an arrest with the purpose of frightening or intimidating a person is illegal. An arrest is a serious interference with a person

What is the remedy available to a person arrested unlawfully?
The arrested person may sue the Police officer and/or the government for damages.

Can a citizen or private person arrest a person?
Citizens or private people may arrest people who commit or attempt to commit serious crimes in their presence or whom they reasonably suspect of having committed serious crimes. For example, a private citizen may arrest people fighting, maliciously damaging property, committing public violence or those who try to escape arrest.

A person may ask the officer for his/her identity document, showing his name and photograph before answering. If the officer refuses to show it, the person need not give his or her name and address. Even plain clothes Police must carry identity documents. If the Police officer identifies himself the person must give his or her name and address. Failure to do so may result into being detained.

What if I do not want to say anything more than names and address?
Police may not force you to answer further questions. The person may agree to answer further questions or agree to do so only in the presence of his or her lawyer. Whenever possible, it is wise to consult a lawyer before deciding. However, since most people do not have money to have a lawyer, attempts should be made to get legal aid services where that is possible. Where it is not possible to secure legal aid services, the suspect should try to answer those questions that will not incriminate him or her.

What are my rights under the Constitution when I am arrested?
The rights of a person under arrest are:-

What is a search warrant?
This is a court order obtained from a Magistrate who has been persuaded that there is