Female Judges demand for recognition from government

Phoos by Abbey Ramadhan

Female Judges in Uganda under their umbrella body National Association of Women Judges -In Uganda (NAWJU) has called on government to recognize them before they retire.

While addressing the third Annual Dinner Dance at Protea Hotel in Kampala on Friday, Justice Dr Esther Kitimbo Kisaakye the NAWJU president stressed that female judges are not appreciated yet they contribute a lot to the judicial system of this country.

"We always get bashed than we are recognized. We therefore decided that if we are not recognized we will recognize our selves." She said.

 "At times we neglect our families as we tend to fulfill our judicial obligations, however we should persevere to beat deadlines on judgement." Kitimbo added.

Former Chief Justice William Wako Wambuzi who was one of the guest raised concern about the ailing disposal of judicial cases in the country and called for justice to the affected people.

"My Major concern is delays in the disposal of cases. Do you take into struggle for the public outcry on the disposal of cases? How do you explain about the accumulation of 100 cases by a judge?" He asked.

Wambuzi advised female judges to emulate women magistrates of his time whom he said that were hardworking professionals through handling cases then.

Bart Katureebe the Chief Justice and also the chief guest tasked judges to account for how they have performed this year and what role they have played on giving Ugandans justice.

Katureebe also appreciated female judges for not accepting bribes adding that most of the complaints he receives on judicial corruption is done by men.

The Dinner dance

At the same event, Katureebe was awarded a leadership award by female judges in recognition and appreciation of his leadership of the judiciary as the Chief justice of Uganda.

Other justices awarded included former chief justices Benjamin Odoki and Wako Wambuzi, Alice Mpagi Bahigeine, and Seth Manyindo with distinguished Service Award.

Dorcas Okalany the Former Secretary to the Judiciary was also awarded with an Appreciation Award for to her service to the Judiciary.