Anti-Corruption Court starts work
Jul 02, 2008
THE Anti-Corruption Court has started operations, the Principal Judge, James Ogoola, has said.
By Hillary Nsambu
and Anthony Bugembe
THE Anti-Corruption Court has started operations, the Principal Judge, James Ogoola, has said.
“Today, the court is taking off. The formal launch will come later,†Ogoola told journalists at his office in Kampala on Tuesday.
Ogoola said the court, which is headed by Justice John Bosco Katutsi, had started by carrying out a census of all corruption cases.
“Although we already have laws and institutions to deal with corruption, it remains such a big challenge,†Ogoola said, adding that the existing frameworks needed beefing up.
The Judiciary has provided sh1.9b towards the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Division.
“This is not a new court. It is an innovative strategy by the Judiciary to use available resources and machinery to effectively deal with corruption cases,†Ogoola said.
The preliminary challenges for the court, Ogoola noted, were lack of premises, equipment and legislation.
He also cited the need to protect the whistle-blowers and witnesses appearing before the court.
The court will handle corruption related offences under the yet to be enacted Anti-Corruption Bill.
“Most cases will be before magistrates, while the high profile cases will be before the High Court. The Judiciary will decide whether to transfer all or some of the current corruption cases to the Anti-Corruption Division.
“This decision will be informed by the outcome of countrywide survey of all corruption cases to be carried out soon,†Ogoola added.
The court will be based in Kampala under a three-year pilot phase after which it may be rolled out to regional centres.
It will have two judges, a registrar, two chief magistrates, four Grade One magistrates and other support staff.
Katutsi will be deputised by Justice Paul Mugamba, while Paul Gadenya will be the registrar.
Other key staff will be appointed in due course.
“Corruption cases take one to three years to investigate and prosecute at a minimum,†Ogoola said.
“High profile cases take up to seven years. Delay in prosecuting has tended to favour accused persons, who tamper with evidence.â€
He observed that only three of the 3,185 cases handled by the National Fraud Squad between 2000 and 2004 resulted into a conviction.
Between 2002 and 2006, the Inspector General of Government prosecuted 196 cases, the Principal Judge noted.
Twenty four resulted in acquittal, 19 in convictions and 178 remained pending.
and Anthony Bugembe
THE Anti-Corruption Court has started operations, the Principal Judge, James Ogoola, has said.
“Today, the court is taking off. The formal launch will come later,†Ogoola told journalists at his office in Kampala on Tuesday.
Ogoola said the court, which is headed by Justice John Bosco Katutsi, had started by carrying out a census of all corruption cases.
“Although we already have laws and institutions to deal with corruption, it remains such a big challenge,†Ogoola said, adding that the existing frameworks needed beefing up.
The Judiciary has provided sh1.9b towards the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Division.
“This is not a new court. It is an innovative strategy by the Judiciary to use available resources and machinery to effectively deal with corruption cases,†Ogoola said.
The preliminary challenges for the court, Ogoola noted, were lack of premises, equipment and legislation.
He also cited the need to protect the whistle-blowers and witnesses appearing before the court.
The court will handle corruption related offences under the yet to be enacted Anti-Corruption Bill.
“Most cases will be before magistrates, while the high profile cases will be before the High Court. The Judiciary will decide whether to transfer all or some of the current corruption cases to the Anti-Corruption Division.
“This decision will be informed by the outcome of countrywide survey of all corruption cases to be carried out soon,†Ogoola added.
The court will be based in Kampala under a three-year pilot phase after which it may be rolled out to regional centres.
It will have two judges, a registrar, two chief magistrates, four Grade One magistrates and other support staff.
Katutsi will be deputised by Justice Paul Mugamba, while Paul Gadenya will be the registrar.
Other key staff will be appointed in due course.
“Corruption cases take one to three years to investigate and prosecute at a minimum,†Ogoola said.
“High profile cases take up to seven years. Delay in prosecuting has tended to favour accused persons, who tamper with evidence.â€
He observed that only three of the 3,185 cases handled by the National Fraud Squad between 2000 and 2004 resulted into a conviction.
Between 2002 and 2006, the Inspector General of Government prosecuted 196 cases, the Principal Judge noted.
Twenty four resulted in acquittal, 19 in convictions and 178 remained pending.