Museveni cautions newly appointed judges on corruption
President Yoweri Museveni with Justice Jane Frances Abodo and her family after swearing-in. Friday 23rd March 2018. PPU PHOTO
KAMPALA.
President Museveni has sworn-in ten newly appointed judges of the High Court at State House Entebbe, a function that brought to an end the recruitment process.
The process also makes them eligible to commence judicial work formally.
Also sworn in at the Friday function was one judge of the Court of Appeal, Mr Ezekiel Muhanguzi, who had retired last year as judge of the High Court but later appointed to the Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court Bench.
Acting Chief Registrar, Mr Isaac Muwata at the same function; introduced two justices of the Supreme Court and three justices of the Court of Appeal who were elevated to those positions but had not been officially introduced to the President and also have a hand shake with him.
The Law does not require judges who have already taken oath to take it again despite being elevated.
The two justices of the Supreme Court were: Richard Buteera and Paul Mugamba.
Those of Court of Appeal were: Justice Christopher Madrama, Justice Stephen Musota and Justice Percy Tuhaise.
Those sworn-in to the High Court Bench were; Mr Paul Gadenya who has been the Chief Registrar, Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, Alex Ajiji, Tadeo Asiimwe, Joyce Kavuma and Emmanuel Baguma, all being formerly registrars.
Others were; advocate Musa Sekaana, Richard Wabwire, State Attorney, Ms Jane Frances Abodo, and Ms Cornelia Sabiiti, the former Executive Director of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA).
In his remarks, President Museveni urged the newly sworn-in judges whom he referred to as a breed of "young judges" to be fair in their decisions and also corruption free in a bid to guard the reputation of the Judiciary
"So my appeal to them (new judges) is to come with the intention of holding the reputation of the court system," President Museveni urged them.
"The population must first trust you (judges) and have confidence in you so that when they come to you, they expect their cases to be decided fairly and without corruption," he added.
Chief Justice Bart Katureebe in his remarks at the same function, welcomed the new judges to the Judiciary family before reminding them to always uphold the oath of allegiance and judicial oath while making their decisions.
"I congratulate you upon joining the Judiciary family. Welcome to life in a glass bottle," Katureebe welcomed the new judges.
Adding: "People expect nothing of you but high integrity and not your knowledge of the law. So, as you come to the Judiciary, always remember the oath of allegiance but more importantly the judicial oath that you have just taken".
The Chief Justice also cautioned the new judges that Ugandans will write about them if they act contrary to their judicial oath.
