H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni speaking at the opening of the New Law Year 2022
On Friday February 4,2022, the Judiciary opened the New Law Year 2022. The event came as a climax ofa week-long conference of Judges and Registrars.
H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni graced the event and congratulated the Judiciary for the beginning of the New Law Year. "I would like to use this occasion to congratulate the Judiciary on the beginning of the New Law year. I want to thank you for the great work you have done for all the years despite some challenges," President Museveni said.
The President applauded the new transformation of the Judiciary. "In this transformation, you should not only transform the administration but also you should reflect on the what? What is the substance of this judicial service? The judicial service you are rending must be for people," Museveni said.
He noted that the Constitution provides that justice should be in accordance with the culture and norms of the people of Uganda.
President Museveni urged justice actors such as the Police, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, and the Judiciary to always protect life, protect property and protect women against rapists. The others were to ensure the Judiciary guards against embezzlement of Government funds, zero tolerance to corruption, and not tolerating abusive language (provocation). "...The Chief Justice was talking about attacking the judiciary. The other thing I must warn you against is attacking the army. The soldiers are people. So, for you to attack them and think things will remain the same, you are lying," he warned.
President Museveni re-echoed the need for the Judiciary to look into the issue of bailing out accused persons facing capital offences as this provokes the people. "I have been complaining about the issue of bail. This bail is a provocation and you would not want people to kill themselves over it," President Museveni said.
He reassured the Chief Justice that UGX800bn will be allocated to the Judiciary as agreed in the midterm. He noted that the ODPP needed support and had already briefed Cabinet about it.
The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo, thanked the President for always prioritizing the Judiciary and ensuring that he graces all functions that he is invited to. He noted that the New Law Year was an annual event where the Judiciary gives an account to its stakeholders about the previous year. The Chief Justice noted that the Judiciary had embarked on a mission to be guided by integrity and zero tolerance to corruption. "This mission can only be realized when there is an equitable visible presence of a functional Judiciary within reach of our people throughout the country," the Chief Justice said.
He shared that the Judiciary is determined to fight delays in rendering justice by bringing Courts nearer to the people, advancing ICT and other technologies at all stages, enhancing human resource capacity in terms of numbers, skills, motivation, and commitment among others.
The Chief Justice further thanked the President for the enhanced budget that will see more High Court Circuits operationalized this Financial Year. Additionally, two regional Courts of Appeal would be constructed in Gulu and Mbarara. This, he said, will also enable the recruitment of more Judicial Officers both in this and next Financial Year.
The head of the Judiciary informed the President that several legal reforms had been undertaken. These include; the Judicature (Court Fees) Rules 2022, the Judicature (Court Bailiffs) Rules 2022, the Judicature (Amicus Curiae) Rules2022, the Constitution (Bail Guidelines for Courts of Judicature), 2022 among others. These are all aimed at improving justice delivery.
The Chief Justice called for enhancement of the ODPP which he said was operating at 37 per cent yet a robust prosecuting institution is needed.
The Chief Justice cautioned lawyers against personal attacks on Judges. He noted that while the Judiciary can accept criticism, it does not mean to insult the person of the Judge. He urged the Uganda Law Society to take action against this injustice.
The acting Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs who doubles as the Minister of Public Service, on. Muruuli Mukasa, thanked the President for supporting the Judiciary by signing the Administration for Judiciary Act 2020 which has enabled Judiciary to perform its duties. He applauded the increase in recruitment of Judicial officers and asked for more financial support to enhance access to justice. He said that there was the need for recruitment of more prosecutors and the need for the approval of the structure of non-judicial support staff.
The Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, thanked the leadership of the Judiciary for a job well-done especially during the challenging times of the covid-lockdown. He said that the administration of justice requires a cordial working relationship with the bar and bench.
He thanked the President and Parliament for the Administration of Judiciary Act, that its greatest aspect in taking justice to the people and transforming the lives of wanainchi.
The AG said his office is currently working with the Legal Parliamentary Committee on the increase of the number of justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. He sought support to enhance other agencies that work closely with the Judiciary.
He emphasized the duties of lawyers to courts, the bar, and clients urging them to respect members of the bench. "Insulting members of the bench must stop" he said.
The Uganda Law Society President, Ms Phoena Nabasa Wall thanked the President for opening the economy and for his contribution towards the ULS house. She also thanked him for appointing the Attorney General and also prioritization of Ugandan lawyers negotiating international contracts on behalf of Uganda. She reiterated the need for respect of court orders and recommitment towards the fight against torture.
Ms Wall thanked the President for the recruitments made in the Judiciary and asked that the same be extended to the prosecutorial side.
Posted 4th, February 2022
