L-R: Hon. Otaffire (Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs), Hon. Justice Katureebe (CJ) , Dr. Eng. Ebal (Commissioner, Engineering and Technical Services - Judiciary), Hon. Justice Dr. Zeija (Senior Resident Judge Mbarara) and other stakeholders
RUBIRIZI: The Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart M. Katureebe on Thursday 30 August, 2018 laid a foundation stone at the groundbreaking ceremony for Rubirizi Justice Centre in Rubirizi District, Western Uganda.
The Centre will house a District Court, Police Station and Directorate Public Prosecutions (DPP) offices, according to Dr. Eng. Christopher Ebal, Judiciary's Commissioner Engineering &Technical Service. The Shs 1.8bn facility is expected to be completed within 12 months.
The Chief Justice urged the public to make use of the Justice Centre but cautioned them on baiting officers of courts with bribes. "When you bribe, it kills cases," adding that whenever disputes come up they should be taken to court.
He said after the construction of the centre, the next phase will be to set a prison and the residence of the Chief Magistrate.
HW Michael Bbosa, the Magistrate Grade One Rubirizi, in his welcome remarks, said there was need for a resident attorney to ensure timely dispensation of justice. On the issue of juvenile justice, he said cases stall since the remand home in Fort Portal does not have capacity to produce the juvenile court offenders in court.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Rtd Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, in response said the office of the DPP had already deployed a state prosecutor.
The Solicitor General, Mr Francis Atoke said when the Centre opens enforcement of law and order will increase.
He pledged, on behalf of JLOS Institutions, to ensure that the team at the centre delivers quality work.
Rubirizi MP, Hon. John Twesigye, said the absence of such institutions had affected the development of Rubirizi. "The justice centre is a blessing. It will restore hope....people at the grassroots have been suffering due lack of structures and personnel."
He urged the district to sensitize the public so that they can get the best from the justice centre.
The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Kule Malanga, said the centre will act as a tourist attraction given its strategic location on the hill.
The Chief Justice used the occasion to warn security agencies on torture.
"Security Forces when you are arresting Ugandans, arrest them like human beings not animals. We do not want to bring people in court while bleeding, failing to walk and sick because such people belong to the hospital, not court," Hon. Justice Katureebe said.
This was in reference to the brutal arrest and torture of more than 30 people,including Members of Parliament on August 13, 2018 ahead of the Arua Municipality by-election.
Posted 1st, September 2018
