(L-R): Mr. Bigirimana (PSSJ), Hon. Justice Dr Zeija (PJ) and HW Langa (CR)
Chief Magistrates across the country were at the headquarters in Kampala for a meeting with the Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu.
Hon the Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, who was flanked by the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to Judiciary Mr. Pius Bigirimana, officially opened the meeting.
Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija applauded the Chief Magistrates for their perseverance and commitment given their working conditions and workload. "I appreciate really that you’re working under very difficult circumstances, and we don’t have enough resources to give you what you need," said Hon. Justice Dr Zeija.
He urged participants to always make time for inspection of Magistrate Courts under their supervision so they can plan better and ensure proper management of records, exhibit stores and court infrastructure.
"Get time at least in a month visit each court and look at what is happening what the magistrate is doing," remarked the PJ, adding: "the next time I visit your court, I should be able to get a file in one minute."
In reference to absenteeism, corruption and indiscipline, Hon. Justice Dr. Zeija said that"people are suffering out there they need you to be present to administer justice."
"That issue of one must be transferred because they cannot perform or they are thieves, that won't happen under our watch, because there is only one route exit," he warned,stressing that the new administration will not succumb to any pressures from any 'God fathers'.
The Chief Registrar said the meeting was intended for familiarization, discussion of reports,experiences and best practices of operating Courts during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also said they would jointly develop strategies for improving service delivery in all Courts of Judicature.
"We are here to know each other and bond," she said. Adding that, "We should be able to discuss best practices, challenges and the way forward," said HW Langa.
She remarked of her expectations during her term of office to include, zero tolerance of corruption, hard work, teamwork, positivity (abundance mentality), transparency and accountability, among others.
CR also appealed for all judicial officers' cooperation especially when it comes to deployment."Please be deployable," she appealed.
Mr. Bigirimana,pledged his full support to all judicial officers in exercising their core mandate of adjudication. He however urged the CMs to familiarize themselves with the National Planning Framework since it informs Judiciary’s Strategic Investment Plan that eventually guides the Judiciary's direction.
"For Judiciary must develop her strategic plan consistent and deriving her authority from the National Development Plan, but conscious of the independent nature of Judiciary as provided in the Administration of Judiciary Act 2020," said Mr Bigirimana.
The Chief Magistrates are pivotal to the operations of the Judiciary since they are the immediate supervisors of the Magistrates Grade I and IIs. He emphasized the need for CMs to be visionary leaders with integrity and transparency.
He described visionary leadership as a process by which a person influences, inspires, mentors,coaches others and build teams. He challenged the. CMs to be men of integrity have good judgement, dedication and courage.
The meeting also discussed terms of employment, mechanisms for complaints handling, strategies to curb corruption and tips on how to strengthen supervision.
All the three members of the Top Management (PJ, PS and CR) reiterated that with the new administration it would not be business as usual in the Judiciary.
Posted 25th, September 2020
