Commissions Should be Independent Watchdogs There would seem to be little point in setting up Commissions with fine-sounding names if the Commissions are not going to be effective. It is essential that the new Constitution should ensure that Commissions: are truly independent, both in terms of appointment and freedom from interference with their functions from other arms of government are answerable to Parliament, not the Executive receive enough funding to enable them to perform their functions independently. Should there be other Commissions? In addition to the Commissions already provided for in the current Constitution, the Law Society’s Model Constitution proposes the following: • Gender and Anti-Discrimination Commission; • Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Conflict Prevention Commission; • Land Commission The Kenyan and Ugandan Constitutions both provide for commissions dealing with education and teachers, and the Uganda Constitution provides for a health service commission. ___________________________ 76