L-R: Dr Pius Bigirimana(Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to the Judiciary), Hon. Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo(Chief Justice) and HW Toloko Simon(CM - Bushenyi)
Not even the bumpy, dusty, hilly, and steep slopes could deter the Chief Justice from reaching Buhweju Chief Magistrate's Court as he set out to meet justice actors in the district.
The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo, emphasized that the intention for his visit was to see where the courts are, to meet the judicial officers deployed to appreciate what they are doing, understand their challenges while engaging with the people.
He emphasized that the Judiciary belongs to all. "The Judiciary belongs to you and me. It’s a place of rendering services but the percentage of people coming to court is minimal. If judicial officers are committed to their work and perform in accordance to their oath without fear, discrimination, or bending, people will run to court for Justice. We believe that the judicial officers will be different and people will gain trust in the institution," he said.
The Chief Justice promised the people of Bushenyi a High Court Circuit as a means of improving physical access to justice. He added that inspections of the courts will be regular to ensure there is compliance. "We are going to create a very strong Inspectorate, where you'll work with someone breathing over your neck. The resident judges will be visiting periodically and everybody will have inspectors and supervisors to monitor their work. Let's make sure we are bringing harmony among members of the societies," he said.
The Resident Judge of Mbarara High Court Circuit, Hon. Lady Justice Joyce Kavuma stressed the importance of such meetings. "These engagements are healthy...we need to keep meeting with leaders and get solutions to our problems," she said.
The Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to the Judiciary, Dr Pius Bigirimana, said it was an honor to accompany the Chief Justice on such a noble visit. He reiterated his commitment to support Judicial Officers as they exercise their mandate enshrined in the Ugandan Constitution.
The Bushenyi Chief Magistrate, HW Toloko Simon, who until recently has been care-taking Buhweju, said as Judicial Officers in the area, they are committed to dispensing justice.
Buhweju Magistrate Grade I, HW Kavuma Denis thanked the Chief Justice for the guidance and for taking time off his busy schedule to visit the Court. He thanked the Judiciary management for the station vehicle and the new courthouse.
The Woman Member of Parliament for Bushenyi, Hon. Annet Katusiime Mugisha appreciated the Chief Justice for being a hands on leader through the innovations and achievements seen in the Judiciary. She was optimistic that these will reduce some of the existing challenges. "with the newly recruited Judges and Magistrates, I am optimistic that case backlog will reduce. Innovations such as automating court processes will wipe corruption out of the Judiciary and as Parliament we shall support you to ensure work is done diligently," she said.
The RDCs and LCs of Buhweju and Bushenyi expressed gratitude for the Chief Justice's visits to hard to reach areas commending their judicial officers for being part of the planning processes and upholding high standards of integrity.
Concerns
In Buhweju, stakeholders called for the amendment of the law to increase the jurisdiction of magistrates, lack of banking services in Buhweju, and the need for legal aid service providers. The others included need for accommodation for Staff of the Judiciary, a sign language interpreter, and the need to consider Buhweju as a hard to reach area. The need for sensitization was stressed to curb increased cases of domestic violence, murder and suicide.
The concerns raised in Bushenyi include RDCs forced to meddle in land matters due to cases taking too long to be handled, need to prioritize cases that have taken 10 years and above in the court system. The need to for High Court sessions, congestion in prisons and the relevancy of multilingual court clerks/interpreters.
Ray of Hope
The participants were urged to be good ambassadors and renew citizens' faith in the justice system. On the issue of enhancement of jurisdiction for magistrates, the justice actors were reassured that this was a work in progress.
Resident District Commissioners, Local Council leaders as well as other justice actors from Mitooma, Rubirizi and Kagango took part in the sessions.
Posted 20th, July 2022
