Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, the Principal Judge addressing congregants at the Sironko Chief Magistrate Open Day
Hundreds of court users, justice actors and political leaders from Mbale, Sironko and Bulambuli districts gathered at Sironko Chief Magistrate's Court grounds to participate in the Sironko Chief Magistrate's Court Open Day that was presided over by the Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija.
The Open day was funded by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and held under the theme, "Demystifying Court processes."
The Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu, warned court users that paying court fees outside of banks is against the law and that specified court fees, especially for civil cases, are posted on court noticeboards. "Today we are saying Judiciary only recognizes money paid in the bank, so when you pay to bail in advance in corridors it is illegal," she said.
She added that the practice of some court users giving "akasiimo"(appreciation) is uncalled for as they (the public) already pay salaries for Judicial Officers through their taxes.
HW Langa also informed court users that production warrants are free of charge and that they are not to pay transport money for Officers to transport Court documents.
The CR took court users through bail matters and matters to do with Court Bailiffs and execution of their (bailiffs) duties.
The Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr Flavian Zeija thanked UNDP for supporting Judiciary in many ways, including by funding Court Open Days, video conferencing, and funding of Judges from Ghana to come and impart some lessons to judicial officers.
He informed the court users that the Court Open Day is meant to interact with them to form better service delivery to them. "You cannot serve people when you are running away from them," he stated.
The Principal Judge took the litigants through the Judiciary Transformation Agenda, which includes establishing more courts across the Country to bring justice services closer to people, recruitment and deployment of more judicial and non-judicial officers, enhancing the use technology in case management and delivery of justice as well as promoting and simplifying court processes through Alternative Dispute Resolutions interventions, among others.
He called upon Judicial Officers and staff in Mbale High Court Circuit to shun absenteeism and poor time keeping, observe good customer care, ensure certainty of hearing dates, ensure timely delivery of judgements and rulings as well as to have a zero tolerance to corruption.
The PJ also thanked the Sironko local government for donating land for the construction of courts and pledged to have it surveyed.
The Ag Chief Magistrate Sironko, HW Koluo Catherine Elayu thanked the Principal Judge for presiding over the open day. She also expressed gratitude to the Sironko Chief Magistrate's Court staff for their support and the general public for allowing courts to adjudicate their cases.
She explained to court users that the Open Day was organized to provide them the opportunity to learn about the Court's processes and procedures and invited court users to share their experiences with the Court and its service delivery.
She noted, "We are dedicated to ensuring that service is provided effectively and efficiently to the residents of Sironko and Bulambuli".
Resident District Commissioner for Bulambuli, Mr. Stanley Bayole praised Sironko Chief Magistrate's Court for its work. However, he brought up concerns of cattle rustling which has led to some of the residents losing their lives.
Mr. Bayole also decried the widespread problems of land disputes and land grabbing. He complained about the delay in court proceedings, which he linked to the continuous change of judicial officers in charge of them.
He urged court users to "respect the decision of Courts".
Sironko RDC, Mr. Bulwaniregha Denis Ephraim commended Judiciary for bringing serves nearer to people by appointing Sironko a Chief Magistrate. He pointed out that Sironko Local government donated land for the construction of Courts in some of the hard to reach areas among which is Buwalasi and Busulani sub-counties, and requested that it is surveyed.
Ms. Annet Mpabulungi Wakabi, Team Leader, Governance and Peace, United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), emphasized the crucial role the Judiciary has played in delivering justice to Ugandans. She complimented the innovations the Judiciary is implementing, such as court open days that improve access to justice and gather user feedback.
She further added that such innovations "help in reducing the myth that exists in the court process." and in debunking the misconceptions that people have about Courts.
The Head of Circuit, Senior Resident Judge, Hon. Justice Godfrey Namundi, thanked the Ag. Chief Magistrate Sironko and her staff for their hard work. "We are grateful that the people you serve are happy with your services," he said.
He thanked Sironko Local Government for donating land for construction of Courts in some of the hard to reach areas and called for extension of justice services to other hard to reach areas in the districts of Sironko and Bulambuli.
Hon. Justice Namundi appealed to court users to always support judicial services by turning up to avail witnesses in their cases.
Posted 8th, August 2023
