Hon. Justice Kakuru who represented the Deputy Chief Justice at the function
KAMPALA: The Center for Public Interest Law(CEPIL) on Wednesday (September 25, 2019) launched the Judiciary Scorecard Report at Mestil Hotel in Nsambya.
The Scorecard Report provides an assessment report of key performance parameters for measuring the Judicial Officials and more importantly, the parameters reveal about the officials in terms of their weaknesses and strengths in the delivery of services to consumers and users of the justice system.
In a ceremony presided over by the Hon. Justice Kenneth Kakuru, who represented the Deputy Chief Justice, best performing Justices, Judges and Magistrates were awarded and resoundingly honored.
Hon. Justice Bart M Katureebe won as Best Supreme Court Justice for the year 2018;
Hon. Justice Remmy Kasule won the Court of Appeal award;
Hon. Justice Wilson Kwesiga won the High Court Award;
HW Samuel Twakire won as Best Chief Magistrate award;
HW Osaulo John Paul won the best GI prize.
Hon. Justice Stephen Mubiru of Gulu High Court was awarded the best deserving Judge in the High Court for"ensuring all his judgments are publicly accessible, secondly he
has a scholarly attention to detail in his analysis of issues and, thirdly, he has been able to consistently deliver the judgments within the time required by the regulations," the report said.
It was pointed out by members of the civil society that whereas many judicial staff respond to the needs of those that want their services, some judicial staff lack passion for the work.
The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal scored a fair observation score between 60-69%. They were both scored the least on explaining reasons for delays. High Courts in Masaka, Mbarara and Kabarole (Fort Portal) also scored exceptionally (Over 90%). Nakawa Magistrates Court scored a perfect score of 100%. Magistrates Courts in Masaka and Mbarara also scored exceptionally (Over 90%).
In a speech read by Court of Appeal's Hon. Justice Kakuru, the Deputy Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, urged Judicial Officers to use the scorecard report to improve on their judicial work. "...We must observe the judicial code of conduct and the core values of independence, transparency, impartiality, professionalism, integrity,accountability, equality and respect that underpin an excellent Judiciary. We should also work harder and smarter to enhance access to justice for all," the DCJ said.
He added; "I therefore, congratulate all the justices that were identified in the report as outstanding in performance of their duties. I believe that this shall motivate many of the judicial officers to improve on their performance."
The CEPIL Executive Director, Ms. Jacqueline Mukasa, said the assessment is not without limitation. "Though representative, the assessment did not coverall courts in Uganda. Not all Judges and Magistrates were scored by both the Legal Professionals and Litigants," she said.
The report launch was attended by a cross-section of participants who included, Justices, Registrars, Magistrates, lawyers, academics, researchers and journalists who were informed that the Scorecard would be released every year.
This was the second Judiciary performance scorecard with the first having been released last year.
Posted 27th, September 2019
