I know corrupt judges - Ombudsman

Jan 15, 2009

THE Inspector General of Government (IGG), Faith Mwondha, has said she has information about judges implicated in corruption. She said her office was looking into the claims.

By Anne Mugisa
and Hillary Nsambu

THE Inspector General of Government (IGG), Faith Mwondha, has said she has information about judges implicated in corruption.

Mwondha, who was speaking yesterday at the 11th annual judges’ conference in Entebbe, said her office was looking into the claims.

Her revelation followed queries on a report released by her office which showed that the Judiciary was perceived by the public as one of the most corrupt institutions in the country. The judges asked Mwondha whether there was any person who had confessed giving a bribe to a judge.

Principal Judge James Ogoola assured Mwondha that the Judiciary was ready to deal with any cases of corruption among its ranks, but that perceptions do not provide evidence on which to act.

“Can the people give details like testimonies of bribing judges? This would be more useful,” the Principal Judge suggested.

“Since the reports came out, no single person has come to my office to give details. We cannot get rid of corruption by perceptions. The IGG should go beyond perceptions so that she and the Judiciary can move to resolve some of these issues,” he added.

The Deputy Chief Justice, Laetitia Kikonyogo, also asked Mwondha to be specific. “The report as it is shows that everybody in the judiciary is corrupt,” she said.

“There are details,” Mwondha said. “If I were to come here and expose the implicated judges, it would be very embarrassing. But we are working out something. If I wanted to blow it out, I would. But I am not an IGG to damage others,” she explained without divulging what was being done about the allegations.

The IGG said she was also aware of some people who make unfounded allegations against judges.
Sometimes court officers are condemned without being heard, she added.

“But if a judge is maliciously attacked, you can fight legally and put the record straight. I did when the Monitor tried to drag me in the gutters by saying I was getting two salaries of IGG and of a judge.”

Mwondha commended the judges for declaring their wealth in time.
She emphasised the need to protect the independence of Government institutions including the Judiciary and the Inspectorate of Government, but said they should keep their integrity.
“Officers should not use their offices to enrich themselves at the expense of national interest.”

Mwondha said the Judiciary was critical in building public confidence in the justice system. It has a duty to re-examine the degree of its independence, transparency and observance of procedural and substantive rights in order to maintain a corrupt-free Judiciary, she stressed.

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