Judicial officers have voiced their concerns regarding the persistent habit of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) discussing court rulings, decisions, and orders, which has, on occasion, impeded the execution of certain court directives and undermined the judiciary's work and access to justice.
This issue was highlighted during the closing of the Annual Registrars and Magistrates Conference held in Kampala on 15th December 2023, attended by over 1000 registrars and magistrates from across the country. The conference aimed to strategize on enhancing justice administration and improving performance in their roles.
The Annual Registrars and Magistrates Conference was closed by Justice Musa Ssekaana, on behalf of the Principal Judge, Dr Flavian Zeija.
The Principal Judge, in remarks delivered by Justice Ssekaana, noted that Registrars and Magistrates’ Courts are the “coalface of the Judiciary”. “This is because you are easily accessible to the majority of the populace because; Magistrate’s Courts are spread throughout our vast Country; and registrars are judicial officers of first contact in all the courts of record. Therefore, it goes without saying that the manner in which you interact, deal with and attend to persons seeking our services, be it Litigants, Witnesses, Members of the Public, Attorneys portrays either a positive or negative image for the Judiciary.”
He thanked the judges and magistrates many of who are doing the good job of improving the image of courts and Judiciary.
The PJ Dr Flavian Zeija represented by Hon. Justice Musa Sekaana urged the Judicial Officers that, "the Judiciary transformation agenda will be achieved if you; stop trading bail, shunning absentism, shun laziness and embrace good work, timely delivery of judgements, deliver quality judgements, fight case backlog, timely availing of certified copies of proceedings, encouraging ADR mechanisms, sensitization of communities of services available in Judiciary, guiding staff, ensuring proper use of Judiciary resources, organized archives to solve the issue of missing files, have good work ambience, and embracing creativity in dispensing justice- to always exercise your judicial power with a deep sense of restraint and responsibility.”
Supreme Court Justice Mike Chibita, and Chairperson Judicial Training Institute Governing Council, reiterated the need to be courteous to the people they work with as well as court users.
He also urged them to be good time managers. Additionally, he called upon them to ensure that they dress appropriately.
In terms of preparing for court, Justice Chibita stressed the need to read through the files before them to know what the case is about.
The work ethics is what we are paid to do and that's what the litigants expect.
PICTORIAL
Courtesy: Rose Namanya & Danielle Nalukenge