Otafiire pushes for better welfare for judges
What you need to know:
- He served as an acting judge between 1981 and 1982, before he was confirmed as a full judge of the High Court in 1984. Appointed a judge of the Supreme Court in 1996, Justice Karokora served for 10 years, a period during which he is credited for having contributed to the development of jurisprudence. He retired in 2006.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Kahinda Otafiire has asked Members of Parliament to pass the Administration of the Judiciary Bill, 2018, that seeks to address the welfare of judges.
Mr Otafiire argues that judges should be appreciated for the sacrifice they make to deliver justice and promote the rule of law.
He made the remarks at the burial ceremony of Justice Alfred Karokora in Mbaguta Cell, Ruharo Ward, Kamukuzi Division in Mbarara Municipality on Wednesday.
The minister said being a good judge is a devotion and sacrifice.
“You can’t be a good judge, you can’t be a good doctor; you can’t be a good teacher without sacrifice. When they say a judge lives hungry, it’s because he has to live up to his calling. Those of us who benefit from this sacrifice must also reciprocate,” he said.
Gen Otafiire said it is important to acknowledge that judges and judicial officers are human and with needs that should be catered for.
“The short time I have been with judges, I am tired of seeing them desperate after service. I really hate it that a judge cannot afford a car, a judge of the Supreme Court cannot afford transport; a retired judge cannot afford shoes. No, countrymen, let’s give back to where we get from,” Mr Otafiire appealed.
He eulogised Karokora as a man of peace, trust and just.
Chief Justice Bart Katureebe in a speech read for him by Principal Judge Yorokamu Bamwine said they shall always remember the role Karokora played in developing legal jurisprudence in Uganda and East Africa.
“He exhibited commitment, diligence, integrity, transparency and was above reproach,” Justice Katureebe said.
“He was a good role model for all judicial officers. His judgements were clear, lucid, well researched, balanced and have always been treasured as impeccable precedents,” he added.
President Museveni in his condolence message read by Second Deputy Prime Minister, also Minister of East African Community Affairs, Mr Kirunda Kivejinja, said Karokora was a hardworking and committed man who made outstanding contribution to building a functional justice system in Uganda.
“Government commends him for his invaluable dedication to legal service and advocacy for human rights and for his deep insights and wisdom he generously shared with many people over the long span of his illustrious career,” Mr Museveni said adding “His 43 years of solid service as a judicial officer places him in a special category of a nation builder.”
About Karokora
Karokora, 83, died last Friday in Mbarara. He had been battling high blood pressure. Karokora was born in 1936 in the current Mitooma District.
He studied at Mbarara High School and Ntare School, all in Mbarara. He trained as a pharmacist at Mulago Paramedical School between 1959 and 1962. In 1967 he enrolled for a Magistrate’s Diploma Course at Nsamizi Law School. Between 1968 and 1970 he worked with the then Ankole Kingdom government, where he worked with Senior Magistrates in the Kingdoms Chief Judge’s Chambers. In 1970, he joined Makerere University for a Bachelors’ Degree in Law.
He joined the Law Development Centre, where he obtained a Post graduate Diploma-Legal Practice in 1973. After graduation he served in various stations as Grade one Magistrate before being promoted to the rank of Chief Magistrate in 1980.
He served as an acting judge between 1981 and 1982, before he was confirmed as a full judge of the High Court in 1984. Appointed a judge of the Supreme Court in 1996, Justice Karokora served for 10 years, a period during which he is credited for having contributed to the development of jurisprudence. He retired in 2006.
