Government moves to beef up security in courts
Kahinda Otafiire, Justice minister
Kampala- Government has announced plans to beef up the security of judicial officers and the courts of law as a measure to avert violent attacks against judicial officers.
The Justice minister, Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, yesterday said he will engage the Chief Registrar, the Principal Judge and the Chief Justice jointly with security agencies to enhance security of both the courts and officials.
“We may have to restrict access to court, carry out body search and any other legal actions without offending the Constitution,” said Gen Otafiire, supporting the police new restrictions on people who intend to attend court sessions.
The police said under the new restrictions, those who want to enter the courtroom will go through additional screening to ensure objects such as bottled beverages and other objects are not allowed.
Gen Otafiire added: “We shall support all efforts of the Judiciary to make sure that all judicial officers are free and feel safe and are under no intimidation or any sort of influence whatsoever while performing their duties and to make sure that the integrity and independence of temples of justice is maintained.”
The move follows an August 2 violent incident at Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court when Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu was hit in face with a mineral water bottle.
This was after the sentencing of the Makerere University Research Fellow, Dr Stella Nyanzi, who was charged with cyber harassment.
The court attendants turned rowdy, vandalising various property which the minister said would cost a lot of money to replace.
Gen Otafiire warned that those found behind the hooliganism and vandalism shall be dealt with sternly.
Six people, all supporters of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change party, were on Monday charged with incitement to violence in connection to the court incident and were remanded to Luzira Prison until August 16.
“Acts of violence such as that we saw in the court last week, through the noise made during the court session and pelting of a bottle at the magistrate should not be tolerated anywhere near our temples of justice,” said the minister.
Gen Otafiire blamed the violent incident on political party leaders and functionaries who he said want to advance their cause through unlawful means.
