East African Gazette
Kampala
President Yoweri Museveni has said the government will continue supporting the Judiciary towards the realization of its transformation.
“I want to congratulate your Lordship, the Justices and Judges for successfully holding the 25th Annual Judges Conference, under the theme ‘A People Centered Approach to Justice. “Presidentt Museveni said.
Museveni said such an appropriate theme reminds you all that judicial power is derived from the people and it is those people, the wananchi that you must focus on as you administer justice.
This was contained in a speech read by the Vice President Jessica Alupo at the opening of the New Law Year, at High Court 2024.
Museveni congratulated the Lordships for successfully holding the East African Magistrates and Judges Association Conference in December, 2023.
Museveni said it is important for more people to continue to access justice easily and cheaply.
“Justice and peace create conditions of peace and stability. It gives our investors the confidence in our Courts to handle all cases involving direct foreign investment, here in Uganda, rather than going outside Uganda for arbitrations” he said.
The Government will continue to support the Judiciary towards the realisation of your transformation Agenda, he said.
“We have a total of 38 High Court Circuits across the country, from the initial 20 and we shall soon have Chief Magistrates Courts in every district and City; and a Magistrate Grade I in every County/Constituency and the Regional Courts of Appeal in all parts of Uganda”.he alluded.
He explained he was aware of a number of innovative mechanisms the Judiciary has introduced to tackle the issue of case backlog by introducing case management reforms such as mediation, plea bargaining, small claims procedure and the use of information communications technology like the Electronic Case Management System.
He said such good interventions eases access to justice by the wananchi and to promote harmony among the people.
He observed that through mediation you are strengthening our traditional African justice mechanisms.
Our justice methods are more acceptable, quick and cheap. He added they give results that are reconciliatory and keep peaceful relationships.
He thanked Judiciary tapping to host the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Summit of the Chief Justices of Africa here in March, 2024 which is a good initiative for finding solutions to quicken the justice system processes.
He commended the Judges for upholding the interests of our people so that when they come to the courts, they expect to get justice, within a short period of time.
He revealed that they look at the courts as their last hope and that is why the Judges, Registrars and Magistrates, have a noble role to play in ensuring that all Ugandans get justice.
“I want to encourage Judicial Officers, the State Attorneys, Police, Prison staff, advocates among other stakeholders to build capacity and acquire knowledge and skills in emerging sophisticated crimes arising from technological advancement and globalization of human activities”.
He alluded that money laundering, terrorism financing, trafficking in persons, smuggling in wildlife and wildlife products are on the increase.
He congratulated the Chief Justice and the entire Judiciary, upon the opening of the New Law Year 2024.
“Am ready to continue working with the Judiciary and the Legislature to serve our people for better livelihood and prosperity” he said.