People who bribe judges are satanic, says Justice Katureebe

MITOOMA.

Chief Justice Bart Katureebe has described as satanic people who offer bribes to judicial officers.

He said such acts have put Uganda in a crisis.

“I am a Catholic. You who bring money to bribe judges are Satanic! The prayer of our Lord says lead us not into temptation. That is how we pray,” he said.

“What I ask you is help us and we help you. Katureebe will do his job, get his salary and go tomorrow but the country will be here. If you help us [to fight corruption] you are helping yourselves because this is our country and nobody else is going to help us. ’’

Justice Katureebe was speaking at the commissioning of Mitooma Justice Centre in Mitooma Town Council on Monday.
He said Uganda is in a crisis because everyday billions of money are stolen by government officials which money is meant to provide services to people.

Mr Katureebe advised members of the public to stop fearing corrupt judges and report them to the relevant authorities.
“Even if you find the Chief Justice taking a bribe, report him so that we can fight corruption to save our country. Court is not a building but symbol of justice. We seek pure, simple and unadulterated justice. Stop giving bribes and help us deliver justice, ’’ Justice Katureebe said.

Justice Katureebe emphasised that fighting corruption in the Judiciary calls for a concerted effort and results can be achieved if there is collaboration by the public, accusing some members of the public of bribing judges to determine cases in their favour.

“For those who say that Chief Justice’s job is to fight corruption, yes I agree with them since I am in a leadership position. But Article 17 of the Constitution gives citizens a duty of fighting it. Uganda’s Constitution compels every Ugandan citizen to fight corruption,” said Justice Katureebe
Corruption deprives the Ugandan economy of Shs500 billion each year, according to the World Bank.

“The government has failed to give us 82 judges the Parliament of Uganda recommended because their salaries are not there but you hear that someone stole Shs500b. So what do we do as citizens?” Justice Katureebe asked.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafire, condemned the public for abetting corruption.

He said corruption is a transaction between two people, the receiver (the judge) and the giver (the public) but judges are always blamed for accepting bribes yet both parties are breaking the law and should be arrested.

Mr Otafire explained that the government does not have enough money to recruit an extra 82 judges because the money is lost in corruption. There are only 49 judges.

Justice centre

The Shs1 billion Mitooma Justice Centre houses the police, DPP building and court building
Mitooma District got a Chief Magistrate’s Court in 2017.
There are currently 269 pending criminal cases and 92 civil cases awaiting hearing.