Law practioners receive wealth creation livestock boost

 

 

KAMPALA - Judges and magistrates have received a sh132m boost in form of livestock under the Government initiative of Operation Wealth Creation(OWC).

 

This was aimed at boosting their incomes.

 

The Judial officers recieved their wealth boost on Saturday, during a ceremony held at Judiciary Training Institute.

 

The judicial officers received 50 high-breed heifer cows and 100 Boer goats.

 

The boost came after their strike last year, as they protested over poor remuneration.

 

Subsequently, President Yoweri Museveni convened a meeting and encouraged them to embrace OWC, while Government thrashes out a long term plan to improve their pay.

 

In an interview with the NewVision, Christopher Otieno a Magistrate at Mukono Court, was excited and described the programme as timely.

 

He said he had served for 23 years, and that the livestock will boost his family income.

 

"When I retire, I will be busy looking after my animals. I  implore Operation Wealth Creation to do the same with civil servants like  police and others, as this will curb corruption," Otieno explained.

 

He added that once a judicial officer has a sustainable generating income, no one can bribe them  because of a assured work and side income.

 

"In the first phase, I got three pigs, today I have got one goat and one cow, so the Lord God is with me,"he added. 

 

Asked whether cows and goats will not compromise judges Independence, diligence and integrity while conducting their duties, Muhindo Ngene, the Under secretary Judiciary, said  animals  do not stop him from demanding what he is supposed to get.

 

"This is an additional income. But we hope the Government will fulfill the agreement to improve our remuneration," Ngene explained.

 

Speaking during the handover, the president of Uganda Judicial officer Association (UJOA) Godfrey Kaweesa, said Government partners with NAADs under the operation Wealth Creation to make sure that the welfare of judicial officers is improved

 

He noted that the code of conduct does not allow judicial officers to do business, so farming does not break our code, as this is aimed at boosting their salaries

 

"The public should know that judges are human beings because we buy in the  same market, we vote and the problems that affect the public also affect us. Therefore, we are entitled to everything as citizens," Kaweesa  explained.

 

He added that before, judicial officers did not participate in Government programmes but "it's now for us also to participate as we struggle to improve the economic standard of Judges."

 

 

Second boost phase  

 

Kaweesa explained  that this is  second phase for the benefit.

 

At the first phase, they received 100 pigs, 5000 chicks, 24000 mash, cassava stems, mango seedling worthy  sh5b.He paid tribute to President Museveni for his vision. 

 

Executive Director, Dr Samuel Mugasi advised judicial officers to work closely with veterinary officers as this will help them to manage their animals, saying proper management brings high rapid weight gain, meat and milk yields.

 

 

According to Mugasi, a Boer goat costs shs 320,000, and high breed heifer is between sh2-3m.

 

 

Dr Robert Kiyine NAADS Zonal agriculture officer in charge of Teso and Karamoja said those are improved cross-bread from South Africa with high production meat compared to local bread  

 

The goats are  known for rapid weight gain and heavy muscling and has high fertility.

 

It's rich on the market stage first only one year and when fed well, they can produce two to four kids.

 

He advised that they should sleep in dry areas.

 

He added that they are excellent source of meat and milk, resist disease,  and adapt to difficult conditions