Hon. Justice Dr. Zeija planting a tree at the commissioning of the Mitooma Justice Centre
MITOOMA: Celebrations and ululations filled the air on the afternoon of Thursday 30th August, 2018 when Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Rtd. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, commissioned the Mitooma Justice Centre.
The ceremony was witnessed by different stakeholders in the JLOS fraternity including Judges; Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zaija (Mbarara Senior Resident Judge), Hon. Justice Gadenya Paul Wolimbwa (Executions Division/Projects) and Hon. Lady Justice Joyce Kavuma (Mbarara Resident Judge).
The complex that houses a courthouse, police station and offices of the Resident State Attorney is in line with the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) mission of improving access to services by having frontline institutions located in close proximity.
The Minister asked the Mbarara Senior Resident Judge to monitor the conduct of court staff under his supervision in order to check petty corruption.
He also thanked the people of Mitooma for "putting up a spirited fight"" to ensure the construction of the Justice Centre.
He further urged the locals to put the facilities to good use and avoid taking the law into their hands.
The Centre billed at Shs1.4bn was funded by the Justice,Law and Order Sector.
Chief Magistrate, HW Charles Yeteise who care-takes Mitooma CM Court appealed for the deployment of a substantive Chief Magistrate at the facility. He commended the Minister for ensuring that the facility is built.
Hon. Otafiire said while he was instrumental in the setting up of the facility, he does not interfere in the operations of the centre. "I do not order the police on who to arrest or the Courts on who should appear before them," he said, adding that justice is a right and not a favor.
The Ibanda LCV Chairperson thanked JLOS for bringingservices closer to the people.
The Woman MP for Mitooma, Hon. Jovia Kamateeka, in her remarks urged the representatives of JLOS institutions at the centre to desist corruption to ensure there is access to justice.
On his part, Hon. Justice Dr Zeija, called upon the residents to take advantage of the reforms put in place by the Judiciary to ensure there is access to justice.
Last year (2017), the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart M. Katureebe, presided over the ground-breaking ceremony for the Mitooma Justice Centres.
In June this year, the Judiciary procured an assortment of furniture worth Shs 60 million for the Mitooma Magistrates Court.
Posted 1st, September 2018
