October 3, 2023
KAMPALA, Uganda | Uganda’s Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has called upon judicial officers to remain steadfast in their commitment to justice, despite facing criticism and scrutiny, especially on social media. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of eight newly appointed judicial officers at the High Court in Kampala, Owiny-Dollo emphasized the importance of not bearing ill will against those who may have differing opinions or grievances.
“In this world of social media, you see people blasting the Chief Justice,” he remarked, recounting a recent incident where he was criticized online. “Therefore, you will be abused and accused of being corrupt, especially on social media, but the test for you as judicial officers is to be bound by the judicial oath which tells you not to bear ill will against anyone.”
Owiny-Dollo’s message to the legal professionals resonated with a reminder that their primary duty is to provide justice to every individual who seeks it, regardless of past interactions. He urged them to recuse themselves if they felt unable to render impartial justice but encouraged those who could bear the burden of public scrutiny to continue their work diligently.
The Chief Justice also stressed the importance of staying updated with new developments in the law, highlighting that constant reading and studying are essential in the ever-evolving legal landscape. He underscored the significance of embracing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as plea-bargain and mediation, as a means to combat case backlog.
“We have congestion in prisons, and we are recruiting you every day. Let the number of convicts outnumber those on remand,” Owiny-Dollo emphasized.
Addressing the issue of promotions, Owiny-Dollo assured the judicial officers that hard work and competence would be the determining factors. He dispelled any notions of favoritism and advised, “It’s not how much you smile or how you dress, it’s what you do that matters.”
Regarding the transformation agenda of the judiciary, he shared that significant progress had been made in improving access to justice, with the aim of having a chief magistrate in every district and a grade one magistrate for each constituency in Uganda. Owiny-Dollo expressed a commitment to offering distinguished and exceptional services, free from corruption and transparent, to the people of Uganda.
Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera echoed the call for honor and integrity, cautioning against any perversion of justice for personal gain. He warned that gross professional misconduct would not be tolerated, and culprits would be handed over to the Judicial Service Commission.
Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija urged judicial officers to steer clear of vices like corruption, absenteeism, laziness, and delayed delivery of judgments, emphasizing their adverse effects on the administration of justice. Chief Registrar Sarah Langa Siu called for respect of the Judiciary hierarchy in the execution of duties.
Enhancing access to justice remains a key commitment, aligning with the National Resistance Movement’s 2021/2026 manifesto. With an enhanced Judiciary budget, the appointment of several judicial officers, and the establishment of more courts, significant strides have been taken toward achieving this goal.
The latest additions to the judiciary family, including Angella Natukunda, Ivan Nkwasibwe, Aisio Musooli, Goretti Arinaitwe, Rogers Kinobe, Juliet Komugisha, Benjamin Seruwo, and Winnie Nankya, are poised to contribute to this mission by upholding the principles of justice and fairness.
