Two grade one magistrates sworn in

By Michael Odeng and Lydia Nadunga

KAMPALA - Two grade one magistrates have been sworn in by Principal Judge Dr Flavian Zeija.

Kenneth Michael Situuma and Enoch Ofumbi Opong were sworn in on February 25, 2025, at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala.

Zeija congratulated the magistrates upon their appointment and advised them to familiarise themselves with Judiciary’s culture and norms.

He noted that the Administration of the Judiciary Act, 2020, introduced the ‘new Judiciary,’ committed to offering exceptional services to the people of Uganda, reducing case backlog, ensuring timely and corruption-free services, and enhancing access to justice.

The Principal Judge urged them to uphold justice, promote reconciliation between parties, ensure transparency and meaningful substantive justice, and deliver justice without delay.

Highlighting their jurisdiction, Zeija advised the magistrates to familiarise themselves with Section 207(1)(b) of the Magistrates Court Act to understand their pecuniary and geographical limits.

He noted that ongoing efforts to increase the pecuniary jurisdiction of Magistrates Grade One from shillings 20 million to shillings 100 million.

The Principal Judge encouraged professionalism through continuous learning, consultation, and adaptation to the new technologies and modes of justice service delivery.

Zeija also urged the magistrates to embrace Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), along with other practices that help reduce the time and cost of justice.

He outlined the Judiciary’s transformation agenda, focusing on expanding courts, recruiting more officers, strengthening judicial training, reinforcing the Inspectorate of Courts, promoting innovations, simplifying court processes and enhancing the use of ICT in case management and delivery of justice services.

The Principal Judge reminded them that magistrate grade one courts, where they will serve, are the Judiciary’s first point of close contact with the public.

He urged them to be good ambassadors by serving with integrity and avoiding maladministration.

Zeija also encouraged them to ensure timely judgments, prompt handling of bail applications, and to adhere to the Judicial Oath and Code of Conduct, which includes independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, accountability, competence, and diligence.

He further urged the judicial officers to execute their duties with sobriety, humility, integrity and make upright decisions without fear, favour, malice, compassion, affection, discrimination or ill-will and expressed confidence in their ability to serve with excellence.

Positive change

Chief registrar Sarah Langa Siu congratulated the new magistrates and welcomed them to the Judiciary, noting that they have joined at a time of positive change.

She reminded them of the importance of meeting key performance indicators and working with integrity, diligence, and excellence to improve the Judiciary’s image.

Siu emphasised the importance of taking their oaths seriously and giving their best to the Judiciary.

She urged them to be punctual, avoid absenteeism, respect hierarchy, and treat support staff and court users with respect.

The chief registrar encouraged the magistrates to work together with the Judiciary to fight corruption, absenteeism, and poor customer care. She also urged them to always seek advice and consult when needed.

The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by Patricia Amoko (Private Legal Secretary to the Chief Registrar), Julius Mwesigye (Personal Assistant to the Principal Judge), and the relatives of the new Magistrates.

Judiciary spokesperson James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda moderated the ceremony.