Magistrates want guns
Sep 19, 2009
SOME city magistrates have applied for pistols for their own security after receiving threats. The magistrates, especially those operating in Kampala who spoke on anonymity said they fear for their lives after being confronted on the city streets by some
By Charles Ariko
SOME city magistrates have applied for pistols for their own security after receiving threats. The magistrates, especially those operating in Kampala who spoke on anonymity said they fear for their lives after being confronted on the city streets by some people, including former criminals whom they sent to jail but are back on the streets.
“One day I was walking on Luwum Street in the evening when someone called out to me saying Mzei I am now out of jail where you sent me,†a magistrate said.
He said on another occasion, he was walking along Johnson Street when a man approached him and advised him not to proceed beyond a certain point.
“Please don’t go beyond here. We know you are a magistrate,†the magistrate quoted someone who advised him.
Some of the magistrates have expressed unhappiness that the Police has delayed to arm them.
“Why should we be subjected to bureaucracy when we apply for these pistols?
We are exposed to danger and we need protection since we cannot have police escorts like judges.†the magistrate said.
Erias Kisawuzi, the Judiciary spokesman, said he had not received a formal complaint from the magistrates but could not rule out threats to their lives by virtue of their work.
“The only complaint that I have received was from Justice Faith Mwondha from Nakawa High Court, who wanted her security detail beefed up. We have already written to relevant offices to beef up her security,†Kisawuzi said.
Kisawuzi, however, explained that magistrates were free to apply for pistols in their own private capacities.
Another magistrate said he was one day approached by someone he did not know who told him that he was not happy with the way he was handling a certain case.
“When I asked him who he was and which case he was referring to, he walked away,†the magistrate said.
Efforts to get comments from the police spokesperson were futile as her phone was off.
SOME city magistrates have applied for pistols for their own security after receiving threats. The magistrates, especially those operating in Kampala who spoke on anonymity said they fear for their lives after being confronted on the city streets by some people, including former criminals whom they sent to jail but are back on the streets.
“One day I was walking on Luwum Street in the evening when someone called out to me saying Mzei I am now out of jail where you sent me,†a magistrate said.
He said on another occasion, he was walking along Johnson Street when a man approached him and advised him not to proceed beyond a certain point.
“Please don’t go beyond here. We know you are a magistrate,†the magistrate quoted someone who advised him.
Some of the magistrates have expressed unhappiness that the Police has delayed to arm them.
“Why should we be subjected to bureaucracy when we apply for these pistols?
We are exposed to danger and we need protection since we cannot have police escorts like judges.†the magistrate said.
Erias Kisawuzi, the Judiciary spokesman, said he had not received a formal complaint from the magistrates but could not rule out threats to their lives by virtue of their work.
“The only complaint that I have received was from Justice Faith Mwondha from Nakawa High Court, who wanted her security detail beefed up. We have already written to relevant offices to beef up her security,†Kisawuzi said.
Kisawuzi, however, explained that magistrates were free to apply for pistols in their own private capacities.
Another magistrate said he was one day approached by someone he did not know who told him that he was not happy with the way he was handling a certain case.
“When I asked him who he was and which case he was referring to, he walked away,†the magistrate said.
Efforts to get comments from the police spokesperson were futile as her phone was off.