Judiciary to investigate magistrate
Kampala. The Chief Registrar of the Courts of Judicature, Mr Paul Gadenya, has said the Judiciary will access the criminal file in which suspended Moroto Grade One Magistrate settled her theft case out of court.
Ms Grace Balintuma refunded Shs32 million gratuity meant for the families of the two deceased soldiers, Lt Herbert Mujuni and Capt Charles Kalemera last week.
Mr Gadenya said he would examine the file this week and make recommendations to the Judicial Service Commission for possible disciplinary action.
“The court process is one process and the Judicial Service Commission is another. This coming week, I am going to look at her file and forward the same to the JSC for trial to establish whether or not she breached the Judicial Code of Conduct,” Mr Gadenya said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Compromise
Mr Gadenya added: “Her trust relationship, especially to her relatives has been compromised.”
The magistrate’s integrity has come under public scrutiny after she was sued for theft of money meant for the families.
According to the Judicial Code of Conduct, a judicial officer is, among others, expected to exhibit a high level of integrity in society that would not bring reproach to the Judiciary.
Ms Balintuma, who is still on interdiction as Public Service Standing Orders demand, was a relative of the deceased soldiers.
According to minutes of a family meeting, her troubles stemmed from an incident where Lt Mujuni fell sick and was admitted to Mulago hospital.
