Mukono, Uganda
The ever-increasing case backlog and delayed judicial processes are being attributed to the chronic late coming of registrars and magistrates.
According to Justice Richard Buteera, the Deputy Chief Justice of Uganda, the late coming of judicial officers adversely impacts both the reputation of the officers and that of the institution.
Justice Buteera made the remarks while inaugurating a one-week induction of the newly recruited magistrates and registrars that started on Monday in Mukono municipality.
Butera further emphasised the significance of time management in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities. He further added that neglecting their schedules and targets could result in case delays, backlog, complainant dissatisfaction, and a negative perception of the judiciary’s integrity.
“We should value time to achieve what we have been appointed to do as Judicial Officers, particularly you who are not yet confirmed in service. Your career progression today depends on what you do now at your workstation. Act as servants and not as kings,” Buteera noted.
The justice further explained that always essential for registrars and magistrates to be present at their workplaces by 8:00am. Their punctuality sets a precedent for the entire team. But if they are late, it may affect the punctuality of their support staff as well.
“That until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value time, you will not do anything with it,” Buteera quoted the late Morgan Scott Peck, an American Psychiatrist and Author (1936 – 2005) to emphasise his point.
Article 28 (1) of the Constitution of Uganda provides that in the determination of civil rights and obligations or any criminal charge, a person shall be entitled to a fair, speedy and public hearing before an independent and impartial court or tribunal.
In that spirit, Buteera said the Article commands judicial officers to administer justice fairly and expeditiously.
“When litigants file cases in Courts, it means that they have tried to settle their differences through other systems without success. In most cases, they will have tried to resolve their disputes through local leaders, religious leaders, and traditional or clan heads before coming to Court. They consider the Courts as their last ray of hope. They look at the Courts as temples of justice. They expect timely hearing, and disposal of the cases they file in the Courts. Delayed Judgements are very frustrating,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Justice Damalie Lwanga, the Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute, stressed that the conference aims to enhance the professional skills of registrars and magistrates, refining their capabilities in delivering justice effectively.
The judicial officers currently undergoing induction are already assigned to various workstations where they will be responsible for administering justice.
“Much as after their appointment they were deployed, we still had to organize an induction for them to ensure that they uphold the basic principles of justice delivery to the people whom they derive their powers from,” says Justice Lwanga.
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