Ntungamo
The Deputy Chief Justice the Lordship Justice Richard Buteera has warned the general public against middle men of justice in the judicial systems across the country.
Deputy chief justice Buteera revealed that there are some unscrupulous people the so-called middle men at the court, who claim to be the agents of magistrates, state attorneys, judges and lawyers to connect the litigants to get justice yet they extort money from them.
Buteera made these remarks on Friday during the Ntungamo chief magistrate’s court open day under the theme “Strategies and Mechanisms for improving Physical access to Justice” held at the Ntungamo municipality court grounds.
Justice Buteera stressed that the middle men who pretend to be the linkage of judicial systems have denied the innocent people justice and above all they do not have any connection with magistrates and judges of the courts.
He vowed that court middle men shall be pursued and get them out of the system as one the strategies and mechanisms for improving access to justice.
Justice Buteera also revealed that the judiciary is going to be transformed through increasing the number of magistrates and high courts in the country before this year ends to expedite the case backlogs in the judicial system.
He noted that in addition to Mbarara high court, there will be Iganga, Moroto, Hoima, Tororo, Luwero and Rukungiri and in Mbarara Region there will be Bushenyi, Ibanda and Ntungamo.
The deputy chief justice said that to reduce corruption, absenteeism, poor attitude and missing of court files shall be dealt with the expansion of the inspection of courts from High court to regional centers to spot check the performance of courts.
He called upon all judicial service staff and general public servants in the area to serve people with humility, integrity, equity, sobriety, diligence and competence as they execute their duties.
The Resident Judge Mbarara His Lordship Allan Nshimye asked the public to stop being extorted of their hard earned money to get justice saying that justice is for free and urged judicial officers to service people humanly.
The chief magistrate Ntungamo His worship Gordon Muhimbise challenged judicial officers to embrace an open door policy whereby the public is allowed to bring their concerns and complaints to them for mediation and immediate action.
His worship Muhimbise noted that the Ntungamo magisterial area have been increased with four judicial officers and chief magistrate His worship Gordon Muhimbise inclusive and others are Her worship Namubiru Mariam grade one in charge of Ruhaama court, Her worship Nasuuna Sharon grade one in charge of Rwashamaire court and His worship Kakuru Edgar grade one in charge of Rubaare court.
He noted that the Court Open day brings all stakeholders, political and religious leaders and public together with a purpose to learn, interact, dialogue and get immediate feedback so as to bridge the gaps in the administration of justice.
The RDC Ntungamo Mucunguzi Geoffrey commended the judicial system in the district for delivering justice to the people and implored them to let every statutory body play its part responsibly.
The district speaker Twikiriize Nicholas Mugyenyi thanked the judiciary for organizing such a Court Open day to get feedback from the public.
