Hon. Justice Christopher Gashirabake
Judicial officers have been urged to embrace laws aimed at protecting the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change to ensure that climate justice prevails in the country.
The call was made by the Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Hon. Lady Justice Damalie N. Lwanga, who noted that judicial officers are the custodians of justice thus have a duty to dispense climate justice to communities affected by community change and to embrace laws that protect the environment.
This was during a two-day training of more than 40 Judicial Officers at Mestil Hotel on how to strengthen judicial participation in climate justice, taking into account lessons from other jurisdictions.
In remarks that were delivered by Deputy Registrar, HW Moses Gabriel Angualia, Hon. Lady Justice Lwanga said, "...climate justice is relatively new to Africa and in particular Uganda and it's therefore imperative that the concept is better appreciated by the Judiciary and what better way to achieve this than such a timely judicial workshop on climate justice", she said.
The training was organised by the JTI in partnership with Greenwatch, a non-Governmental Organization under the theme, "Strengthening the Judiciary's adjudicative role in administering climate Justice."
Court of Appeal Justice,Hon. Justice Christopher Gashirabake, who represented Hon. Justice Kenneth Kakuru, urged Judicial Officers to acclimatize themselves about climate justice, be open to divergent views to enable them make informed decisions inthe courtroom.
The Executive Director, Greenwatch, Ms Samantha Atukunda K. Mwesigwa, appealed to the judicial officers to master the laws governing environment and climate change with the hope that this will enhance justice on climate change.
In 2021, the Government of Uganda committed to reduce on green gas emissions with a percentage of 22 per cent by 2030 so as to mitigate on the effects caused by climate change.
The JTI Executive Director, commended Greenwatch for its continued dedication and commitment to building the capacity of judicial officers in understanding and appreciating the concept of climate justice.
Posted 14th, April 2022
