{UAH} AT LEAST WE HAVE AN INDUSTRIAL COURT

  NEWS RELEASE

Tuesday, 29^th April 2014

"Eliminate corruption" – President challenges Judges

President Yoweri Museveni has challenged judges in particular and the Judiciary at large to eliminate corruption from the judicial service.

"Judicial service should be provided so that the consumers of the service are satisfied. Several complaints from wananchi over the issue of poor people not having the capacity to have their cases attended to are abound. Some people have reported to me to the effect that omwaavu tawoza", he said.

The President, therefore, appealed to the judicial service to carry out their duties with the redemption of people in mind.

Mr. Museveni made these comments at the swearing-in ceremony of 6 judges. The ceremony was held this morning at State House, Entebbe. The ceremony was conducted by the Chief Registrar Mr. Paul Gadenya. The new judges included the Chief Judge of the Industrial Court, Asaph Ruhinda Ntengye; Justice Margaret Mutonyi; Justice David Matovu, Justice Patricia Basaaza Wasswa and Justice Jessica Naiga Ayebare all of the High Court and Justice Linda Lillian Tumusiime Mugisha both of the Industrial Court.

President Museveni revealed that plans are underway to amend the constitution and enact a law banning bail for capital offences such as murder, rape, defilement and treason. He noted that a number of Judges in the country have failed to use their discretion well at the time of granting bail. He strongly criticized judicial officers who release such suspects on bail.

President Museveni also said that delay in disposing of commercial cases undermines the economy. He tasked Judges to serve the people without being compromised.

He congratulated the new Judges upon their appointment and wished them success in their numerous assignments.

The Acting Chief Justice, Steven Kavuma, thanked President Museveni for appointing the new judges and also for his decision to improve terms of service and remunerations of judges. He called on them to observe the highest ethical standards of the Court.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by the Deputy Attorney General, Fred Ruhindi and the Head of Public Service, John Mitala.

ENDS