By The Insight Post Uganda
Mukono-Uganda
The integrity of the legal profession is paramount to the proper administration of justice, and the Chief Justice of Uganda, Alfonse Owiny Dollo, has recently issued a stern warning to advocates who engage in unethical practices.
In a move to uphold the sanctity of the justice system, the Chief Justice cautioned legal practitioners against the filing of undeserving cases with the intention of defrauding clients.
Justice Dollo emphasized the need for advocates to act with high level of integrity and to avoid burdening the courts with cases that lack merit.
During the inauguration of the new Mukono High Court building, that Dollo expressed the growing concern over the unethical and disrespectful nature of charging clients for filing cases that are certain to be dismissed by the court.
In echoing the sentiments of Justice David Matovu, the head of Mukono High Court Circuit, Dollo further noted the negative impact of ‘frivolous’ cases on the already overburdened court system.
Filling cases that lack merit not only wastes the time and resources of the courts but also leads to the frustration of the justice process.
It is the duty of advocates to act in the best interest of their clients, and filing unwarranted cases is a disservice to the legal profession and undermines public trust in the justice system.
His warning serves as a reminder to all advocates to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and to ensure that justice is not compromised by unethical practices.
Advocates have a duty to protect the interests of their clients while maintaining the highest ethical standards. It is vital to avoid engaging in practices that undermine the integrity of the legal profession and the justice system as a whole.
Dollo’s call for ethical conduct is a step in the right direction towards upholding the rule of law and promoting public trust in the legal profession. It is the hope that all advocates will heed this call and act with integrity in the discharge of their duties.
The practice, he adds, not only violates professional ethics but also promotes corruption. “That is also a corruption tendency which must be avoided, to the judicial officers here, as we set good physical buildings, we must also work towards making justice a reality for the common man on a daily basis.” Dollo noted.
In November 2022, the Mukono High Court made a significant move to its new permanent home, located on plot 4114 works road, adjacent to the district headquarters.
This relocation marks an end to the court’s prolonged stay in rented premises that lacked basic facilities since 2016. The court had to pay an annual rent of Ugx170 million (USD 45629) to operate in the rented premises.
The move to the new court building is a significant step towards improving the court’s operations and service delivery to the public.
The new Mukono High Court building is an impressive structure, boasting several courtrooms, sound locks, exhibit storage, jury and auxiliary facilities, and a security house.
The building’s modern design and state-of-the-art facilities provide an excellent environment for the smooth delivery of justice. The construction of the new court building was not only aimed at providing a more conducive working environment for the court officers but also at improving access to justice for the common man.
The government invested Ugx1.3 billion (USD348,932) in the construction of the new court building, highlighting its commitment to the administration of justice in the country.
The new court building is situated on a one-acre piece of land provided by the Mukono district administration in September 2019 on a leasehold title of 37 years until.
It presents a significant milestone for the judiciary in Uganda, and it is expected to enhance the court’s operations and service delivery to the public as well as accessibility to people with disabilities.
The modern facilities and improved infrastructure will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the court’s efficiency and capacity to handle cases. The relocation to the new permanent home also signifies a step towards reducing the court’s operational costs, which were previously spent on rent for the rented premises.
The Principal Judge, Dr. Flavian Zeija, emphasised that courts are essential institutions of justice and should reflect the dignity and honor that we all expect in terms of their structure and services offered.
According to Zeija, the new court building is a key example of the judiciary’s massive transformation agenda aimed at improving the justice system and enhancing the delivery of judicial services to the public.
He explains that the construction of standardised courts throughout the country is a crucial aspect of this agenda.
The provision of modern facilities and infrastructure is essential in ensuring that courts operate efficiently and effectively, thereby enabling them to deliver justice to the people.
During the Bar-Bench Forum meeting, the issue of inadequate space in many courts was raised by the advocates, according to Dr. Zeija.
He conducted nationwide inspections of all High Court stations and magisterial areas and found that limited space and dilapidated court structures were prominent issues that do not reflect the image of a court of justice.
This highlights the urgent need for the judiciary to prioritize the establishment of standardized courts throughout the country to ensure that courts operate efficiently and effectively.
Dr. Roswitha Kremser, the Head of office -Austrian Embassy in Uganda, urged the judiciary to work diligently to address the backlog of cases, particularly those related to sexual and gender-based violence.
This is a critical issue that needs urgent attention, and the judiciary must work in collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure that justice is delivered to victims of these crimes.
The construction of standardized courts with modern facilities and infrastructure will play a significant role in addressing this challenge, as it will enable courts to operate efficiently and effectively, thereby delivering justice to the people.
To the residents and local leaders in Mukono, there is hope the new court building will enhance the protection of their fundamental rights and expedite justice.
Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, the Mukono Local Council (LC5) Chairperson, and Fatumah Ndisaba, the Resident District Commissioner for Mukono, believe the new court will promote proper justice and make things easier for judicial officers and their clients and help reduce the backlog of cases since the three judges have courtrooms and chambers.
END
English 