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Justice Zeija to new judges: Prioritise timely delivery of justice
L-R: Supreme Court’s Justice Mike Chibita, Principal Judge, Justice Flavian Zeija, Justice Damalie Lwanga, the JTI Executive Director with the newly appointed Acting Judges of the High Court. Photo | Eve Muganga
What you need to know:
- Justice Chibita emphasised that the recruitment of new judges is a step towards addressing the shortage of judicial officers and reducing the backlog of cases
The Principal Judge, Justice Flavian Zeija, has cautioned newly appointed judges to exercise prudence when handling judicial review matters and issuing writs or interim injunctions that could hinder government operations.
Speaking at the opening of a two-week induction and orientation program for 21 new High Court judges, Justice Zeija emphasised the importance of adhering to the Judicial Code of Conduct, particularly the principles of independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, competence, and diligence.
"Delays in delivering judgments and rulings undermine public trust in the Judiciary and should be avoided. I, therefore, urge you to adhere to the Judicial Code of Conduct and promote reconciliation, mediation, and pre-bargaining, as mandated by the Constitution," he noted.
Justice Zeija also highlighted the key principles for judges, including impartiality in delivering justice, promoting reconciliation, ensuring transparency and efficiency, avoiding delays, and providing adequate compensation for victims of injustice.
"The judicial power is derived from the people and must reflect their values, norms, and aspirations. As judges, you have a critical role to play in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served," he noted.
Justice Mike Chibita, Chairperson of the Judicial Training Institute Governing Council, shared his experience, highlighting the responsibility that comes with judicial appointments.
"I want to warn you that there is no room for corruption, inefficiency, or laziness. "The institution can lose anyone who is not willing to do the right thing in the course of duty," he said.
Justice Chibita encouraged the new judges to seek guidance from experienced colleagues, engage actively with facilitators, and maximize the learning opportunity. He noted that the Judiciary is working to address the backlog of cases, which has been exacerbated by the growing population.
"The Judiciary is running on a structure that was based on a population of 10 million people. "Now the population of Uganda is over 40 million people, so definitely, the size of the judiciary that served 10 million people is not sufficient to serve 40 million people," he explained.
Justice Chibita emphasised that the recruitment of new judges is a step towards addressing the shortage of judicial officers and reducing the backlog of cases.
"We expect a reduction in the backlog of cases with the recruitment of these new judges," he said.
The induction program, organised by the Judicial Training Institute, aims to equip the new judges with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties effectively. The program covers various topics, including the Judicial Code of Conduct, court administration, and case management.
