RUKUNGIRI – The Principle Judge to the Judiciary, Yorokamu Bamweine has warned court users against tempting court officials with bribes in exchange for justice.
Mr Bamwine said this on Thursday, July 18, 2019, while officiating at the Rukungiri court open day that was held at the Chief Magistrate’s court that was celebrated under the theme “Access to justice a prerequisite to development.”
Mr Bamwine said that some court users have a tendency of conniving with court officials to rush justice which has in the end been delayed.
“And you the public also have got a tendency of bribing the judges and other court officials and seeking favours from them which contradicts the law and denies access to justice to all the citizens,” Bamwine noted.
The Principle Judge also blamed the judicial officers for failing to deliver justice in a speedy manner noting that it is unheard for magistrates to start off a case and finish it quickly on top of asking for bribes from the consumer.
He further warned lawyers whom he said have developed a habit of requesting for adjournments of cases even if they are ready for hearing raising suspicion of who is greater between the magistrate and the lawyer.
The Chief Magistrate Rukungiri circuit Moses Lubangula Kule expressed his concerns about the limited workforce at the circuit which same employees also serve Kanungu and Kihiihi courts thus asking for more, however, they have tried to lessen the backlog of cases.
The Kabale High Court judge, Moses Kawumi Kazibwe also asked the principle judge to help pass on the information to the judiciary office to build a high court in Rukungiri as a means of reducing case backlog in the Kabale court.
“We have already purchased the land and all is set just waiting for accreditation to ensure the place is built so that cases can be heard in time and reduced backlog on judicial officials,” Mr Kawumi noted.
The Rujumbura Member of Parliament, Fred Turyamuhweza asked the principal judge to consider introducing a policy that will fight corruption within the judiciary.
Some of the participants hailed the Rukungiri magistrate court for organizing this open day saying that it has helped them to freely socialize with court officials and it has saved them from constant movements to hear their cases.
The day also created an opportune moment for the public to interact with the judicial officials.
They asked a number of questions pertaining different cases and how they can be handled.
The day was graced by a number of district officials and the North Kigezi Diocesan Bishop Benon Magezi.
