Judiciary trains 600 LC Chairpersons in Luwero
LUWERO: The Chief Justice, Hon.Justice Bart M. Katureebe, on Thursday June 27, 2019 presided over the JLOS Open Day which doubled as the launch of the first-ever Training Symposium of more than 600 members of Local Council Courts Court members from Luwero and neighboring areas. The training was spear headed by the Luwero Chief Magistrate, HW Samuel Munobe.
HW Munobe said as a supervisor of Local Council Courts in the area, he had noted over time that the officials lack legal guidance. "...I have learnt over time challenges the LC Court officials face in their exercise of judicial powers...relating to the lack of legal guidance on their roles as politicians who double as case adjudicators."
He said the training symposium had been organized to re-emphasize judicial support to the citizens of Luwero Triangle turmoil.
The participants were given legal reference materials to enable them hear and determine disputes under their docket such as customary land matters.
Speaking at the twin function, Hon. Justice Vincent Okwanga of the High Court said there was need to appoint a resident judge to ably tackle the backlog at the court. He told participants that such forums help to sensitize the public they serve on the roles of court.
Open Interaction
The Chief Justice gave permission to participants to voice their concerns on the administration of justice and below are some of them:-
The Luwero Resident District Commissioner, Ms Phoebe Namulindwa, in a written memorandum to the Chief Justice said such trainings help demystify court language to the community leaders.
She commended the courts for insisting to visit locus, which has helped resolve land conflicts.
Ms Namulindwa stressed the importance of sensitizations especially during locus visits so that the community can know their rights and responsibilities.
The Chief Justice was informed that land disputes constitute the highest backlog of cases at all the courts in the area. She emphasized the need for the formal courts to monitor decisions made by local council courts.The RDC pointed out that there is need for guidance on how court orders can be effected.
Mr John Baptist Male, the LCI Chairperson of Namaliga East zone in Bombo Town Council said at times files sanctioned are never perused for their facts which is one of the reasons cases take long to be resolved.
He added that they (LC Officials) are demoralized because most times higher courts always nullify their judgements.
One of the counselors urged court management to rein in on bush lawyers who are fleecing court users.
The area Member of Parliament, Eng. Abrahams Byandala said the courts needed to regulate adjournments since it fuels case backlog.
The Chief Justice thanked the participants for their candidness adding that the Judiciary would look into the concerns raised by the RDC and said rules were in the offing to regulate operations of bailiffs.
He also urged the participants not to purchase land they have not visited to establish the boundaries and what exactly is on the ground. This, he said,would help reduce on the land cases.
The Chief Justice said training of local council chairpersons would be rolled out countrywide to ensure efficiency in the grass-root courts.
On the issue of hangers-on at court, the Chief Justice urged court users to be vigilant. He said all court staff wear identity cards for easy identification and that when members of public are duped they should report such incidents to the court leadership. He added that members of the public can reach the Judiciary leadership for redress.
He also said that rules governing adjournments would soon be issued, which would make it hard for matters to be adjourned unnecessarily.
The Chief Justice commended the collegiality between the district and JLOS institutions saying it was proof that all are doing their best to administer justice.
Posted 28th, June 2019
