Lokodo lashes out at judiciary over corruption

The minister for ethics and integrity Fr. Simon Lokodo has lashed at the judiciary saying it is fueling corruption in the country.

"I'm not very comfortable with the work of the judiciary. On a couple of incidents, I have been let down, they almost make me believe what people say that in receiving justice you must be a bidder and the best one because a poor person does not receive justice.

But the best bidder will receive justice, in any case, much as i respect their discretions, on some three cases, I have been greatly disappointed, "he said.

Lokodo said that the judiciary has given the corrupt officers a chance to turn against government and demand huge sums of money in form of damages which is greatly frustrating the work of his directory.

He cited a case where one person was arrested on charges of embezzlement and all the proof was given, but court still did not convict that person. Instead she went to courts of law and sued the government demanding for damages and court awarded her huge sums of money beyond even what she had embezzled which government wanted her to pay.

He added; "When you tell me that you have got something in some body's house and you tell me that it's not that person who brought it on grounds that there is no proof beyond reasonable doubt that, it is that person who put it there, that leaves me totally destroyed. At least you would suspect and ask how did that thing end in that house, or else you become the obvious case".

Lokodo receives a certificate of recognition from the Rwenzori anti-corruption team led by the chairman James Mwirima (c). Photo by Agnes Nantambi

"How can you get somebody with the knife full of blood and a dead body there but you still question whether he is the one who committed the crime because there is no proof? That is where I get a problem with the judiciary" Lokodo said.

Lokodo advised the judicial officers to come back to their senses and do the job they are expected to do, with diligence, dedication and without bias or partiality and misguided discretion.

"I really want to see the judiciary that is firm not undulating and is able to deliver justice. Let the just get what they deserve and let the guilty get what they deserve," he roared.

He highlighted a number of judges and magistrates who have been convicted for corruption emphasizing that the whole judiciary needs to be over hauled.

Lokodo who was speaking at a function to recognize the work of the Directorate of Ethics in fighting corruption, however applauded the Rwenzori Anti-Corruption Coalition (RAC) towards the fight against corruption.

He said Rwenzori sub region is one of the regions which had the highest cases of corruption registering poor service delivery.

"This is a region where the whole council would conduct a council meeting with a view of devising a mean of how to divide the tax payers money amongst themselves, but it is fortunate that ever since RAC came in place such cases no longer happen" he said.

According to the acting executive director RAC Augustine Mutabazi about sh1b is recovered every year from corrupt local government officers in the Rwenzori sub region.

Mutabazi attributed this to the collaboration with the Directorate of Ethics where grass root monitors were put in place to report, expose and also follow up on their leaders in exposing their corrupt tendencies.

Rwenzori sub region covers six districts of Kasese, Kabalore, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo.