KAMPALA– President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has asked the Judicial officers to always provide timely dispute resolution to all people in all matters brought before them in line with their judicial oath.
Museveni who was represented by Vice President Retired Major Jessica Alupo, at the official opening of the 25th Judges Conference at Serena Hotel Kampala last evening, pointed out that there is a need to revisit the African legal and judicial system (which existed before colonialism) that promoted peace and harmony in the society.
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“Our judicial system encouraged brotherhood and sisterhood, it allowed the maintenance and sustenance of friendship and good neighborhood, Methods of solving disputes such as mediation and reconciliation were most well appreciated by our ancestors. It’s time for us to reconsider our justice system and evaluate its relevance to the people.”
He also commended the organizers of this conference who selected a theme: “A People-Centered Approach to Justice.” which is in line with the aspirations of the framers of the Constitution who included a provision that judicial powers are derived from the people and judiciary performs it on behalf of the people. The theme is a clear sign that the Judiciary’s main duty is to serve the people.
“Justice will be meaningful to our people or people-centered if you apply the following in each case that you handle; Apply constitutional principles enshrined in article 126 section 2, justice done regardless to all irrespective of social and economic status, Justice must not be delayed, adequate compensation should be given to victims of wrong, reconciliation between parties shall be promoted and substantive justice shall be administered without undue regard to technicalities,” said Museveni
Museveni also thanked Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo for extending to him an invitation to attend this event where they discuss matters regarding the justice of the people.
Chief Justice Alifonse Owiny Dollo, in his welcoming remarks, thanked the President and Parliament for always for the tremendous support they have rendered to the judiciary throughout from way back.
“In assessing the progress of the Judiciary, the Judiciary continues to progress in areas of digitalization of court processes, opening and gazetting of new courts, etc. Tremendous success has been achieved with the enactment of AJA 2020. When I took up the Judiciary in 2020, the budget of the Judiciary was laughable at 199 billion shillings. The following year was doubled. It has been upped again but we are not yet there. We need 800 billion mark.”
He added that once the budget is increased to the required amount, the issue of backlog that is disturbing the Judiciary will be no more because each judicial officer will be in a position to dispose of case with in one calendar year.
Hon. Norbert Mao, the Minister for Justice and Construction Affairs one of the guests at the Conference noted that however much the Judiciary is an independent Arm of government, it should allow positive criticism from the people it serves.
“The government through Parliament has equipped the Judiciary with all necessary tools, including additional resources, financial and human. Therefore excuses for not being effective should be reduced by now.
Exercising justice on behalf of the people means that you defend the interests of people as enshrined in the constitution.”
The opening ceremony attracted the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Annet Anita Among, Diplomats, Guest from Tanzania Judiciary, Chairpersons and members of various commissions, Ministries, Agencies, retired Judicial officers, Judicial officers from the High court to Supreme Court, media, and other stakeholders.
The conference will run from February 5th to February 8th, 2024 at Serena Hotel Kampala.
