Judges, magistrates cite repeated threats
JUDICIAL officers under the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA) have cited continued threats, which they said undermine the principle of independence of the judiciary as enshrined in the Constitution.
By Hillary Kiirya
JUDICIAL officers under the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA) have cited continued threats, which they said undermine the principle of independence of the judiciary as enshrined in the Constitution.
UJOA comprises of all judges, all magistrates, registrars and other judicial officials.
It condemned the continued physical and verbal threats on the judiciary.
They also condemned the recent siege of the High Court, the seat of the administration of justice, as shameful.
A statement signed by John Keitirima, said this did not mean that the judiciary was against legitimate public criticism on performance.
“We specifically condemn threats of firing judicial officers when handling in land matters, for the state should be the last to call for mob justice when there are avenues of due process for one who is dissatisfied with a decision of court.
“In any case, Article 128 (4) of the constitution provides that ‘a person exercising judicial power shall not be liable to any action or suit for any act or omission by that person in exercise of judicial power’. It is in the interest of the state to respect the rule of law for the opposite would have dire consequences,†Keitirima said.
He said there were many judicial officers who had been reduced to a state of penury. He said they could not therefore afford to lose that which had kept them going, their independence and dignity.
Recently, President Yoweri Museveni threatened to sack any judicial officer who orders any person off any piece of land.
JUDICIAL officers under the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA) have cited continued threats, which they said undermine the principle of independence of the judiciary as enshrined in the Constitution.
UJOA comprises of all judges, all magistrates, registrars and other judicial officials.
It condemned the continued physical and verbal threats on the judiciary.
They also condemned the recent siege of the High Court, the seat of the administration of justice, as shameful.
A statement signed by John Keitirima, said this did not mean that the judiciary was against legitimate public criticism on performance.
“We specifically condemn threats of firing judicial officers when handling in land matters, for the state should be the last to call for mob justice when there are avenues of due process for one who is dissatisfied with a decision of court.
“In any case, Article 128 (4) of the constitution provides that ‘a person exercising judicial power shall not be liable to any action or suit for any act or omission by that person in exercise of judicial power’. It is in the interest of the state to respect the rule of law for the opposite would have dire consequences,†Keitirima said.
He said there were many judicial officers who had been reduced to a state of penury. He said they could not therefore afford to lose that which had kept them going, their independence and dignity.
Recently, President Yoweri Museveni threatened to sack any judicial officer who orders any person off any piece of land.