Group Photo: Pepperdine Team at Hon. Justice Owiny - Dollo (The Honorable Chief Justice)'s Country home in Patongo
On Tuesday June 21,2022, the Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo hosted a 53-memberdelegation from Pepperdine University at his country home in Patongo for a luncheon, a gesture geared towards strengthening their partnership with the Judiciary.
The Pepperdine team was led by its President, Prof Jim Gash.
Guided Tours
Before the luncheon, the CJ led the group on a study tour of different sites. These included the monument built by the Acholi Peace Initiative organisation to remember 28civilians that were massacred by the Lord Resistance Army Rebels on October 22,2002, in Opota Trading Centre, Agago District.
The delegation also visited three other sites where the community offered land for the construction of schools. Pepperdine University supported the construction of Restore International Leadership Academy (Pre-primary, Primary and Secondary Schools)16 years back in Amuru District which the CJ visited on Monday June 20, 2022.
The Luncheon
At the luncheon, the Chief Justice called for the restoration of Acholi land through education. He further disclosed that the California-based University has plans to build schools in Agago District on the pieces of land that the communities donated.
Addressing the judicial officers present, the head of the Judiciary highlighted the need to render timely Justice to the community. He noted that this will soon be achieved with the government’s plan to deploy a judicial officer in every sub-county. "The reason we chose to study legal matters is so that people can benefit from the rule of law. We are all committed and together we will transform the Judiciary of Uganda and adjudication so that the people will be able to respect the courts. That is our vow to the people of the community and we will ensure that we keep it," he stated.
He added that the plan is to avail at least three more operational High Court Circuits in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions noting that Kitgum High Court will be operationalized in the next Financial Year, followed by Apac and Nebbi circuits.
Growing Relations
The Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavain Zeija applauded the strong bond and relations between the Judiciary and the Pepperdine partners in reference to the success so fa rregistered with the access to justice innovations in implemented unison. "I thank you (Pepperdine team) for the support with plea bargaining which is now a flagship project in the Judiciary," he said, adding that the intended partnership in the education sector in Patongo will cement the relationship more.
On his part, Prof Gash appreciated the opportunity given to Pepperdine students to work with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other arms of Government ,stating that this is an avenue to be involved in extending Justice to the people.
Prof Danny DeWalt expressed commitment in supporting the post-war transformation of Northern Uganda. "I first came to Acholi in 2006 and I've watched Acholi land transform...Today we have toured three different properties that your community has provided for projects to help restore Agago and build another school in northern Uganda."
What Others Said
The former Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Mr Daniel Fred Kidega applauded all stakeholders for being people of action and invited them to invest in Acholi. "As a community, Acholi has very hardworking and brilliant people, there's potential in this land. God has blessed us with a lot of resources and we, therefore, invite you to invest in tourism and agriculture, may you go and be our ambassadors out there," he said.
The Agago District Woman MP, Ms Beatrice Akello Akor, appreciated all partners' efforts in supporting the Judiciary with the countrywide rollout of the plea-bargaining programme.
The luncheon was crowned with a gift-giving session where the Chief Justice was given a portrait and an engraved hat with Pepperdine's initials as a symbol of unity between Pepperdine and Patongo. In return, he handed Prof Gash a shield (kwot) and a spear to signify the protection of the institution against enemies. The Pepperdine team also received gifts from community members such as calabashes ,traditional entertainment tools, handbags, hats and cereals among others.
Notable guests present included Justices; Hon. Justice Mike Chibita (Supreme Court), Hon. Lady Justice Damalie Lwanga (Judicial Training Institute), Hon. Lady Justice Jane Okuo(Anti-Corruption Division), Hon. Justice Alex Ajiji (Gulu), Hon. Lady Justice Florence Nakachwa Dollo (Mukono), the Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu, the Under Secretary, Ms Maureen Kasande, the Judiciary Technical Advisor, Mr Andrew Khaukha and judicial officers from the Acholi and Lango sub-region as well as local leaders, among others.
Posted 21st, June 2022
