Hon. Lady Justice Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya (middle) presided over the swearing of 50 Prisons Officers Sworn-In as Justices of the Peace
A total of 50 prison officers at the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Prisons(ASP) were on Friday, September 16, 2022 sworn in as justices of the peace in a ceremony presided over by Acting Principal Judge, Hon. Lady Justice Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya.
A justice of the peace has the same powers and duties as a magistrate to administer oaths and affirmations, to release on bail, to remand in custody, to take affidavits, to attest signatures and to certify to copies of documents, and shall exercise those powers in like manner and take the same fees on behalf of Government.
Hon. Lady Justice Rugadya implored the new Justices of the Peace to perform their duties without fear, favor, ill will, affection, and discrimination in ensuring that prisoners who want to be heard by the court are assisted to be heard. "As I commission you, I appeal to you to discharge your functions with integrity, honesty, and impartiality," she said.
She informed them that their appointment was necessary to assist vulnerable prisoners, the majority of whom are illiterate and destitute and cannot afford legal representation, to seek justice. She emphasized that it is their job and responsibility to make themselves available to provide services to inmates at no cost, subject to payment of the statutory fees for commissioning of affidavits.
The acting Principal Judge urged them to inquire into any circumstance within their units where it is suspected that a criminal offense may have been committed resulting in the injury or death of any prisoner. She added that they are mandated to certify documents presented by inmates, or presented on behalf of the inmates, thus rendering a vital service on a full-time basis, which would have required an inmate to seek the services of an expensive advocate.
The prison officers took the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath as required by the Justices of the Peace Act.
HW Rosemary Bareebe, who represented the Chief Registrar, welcomed the officers and congratulated them for taking on such a crucial role.
She urged the officers to be Judiciary ambassadors and to be cautious before commissioning documents. "Don’t sign for us affidavits for the person you have not seen," she said.
The Acting Director of Correctional Services, Uganda Prisons Services, Mr. Milton Tiyo, cautioned the officers against corruption and advised them to read the Act carefully to understand their powers since it is a higher standard of professionalism.
Posted 16th, September 2022
