IGG, name the corrupt judges
Jan 17, 2009
WHEREAS President Yoweri Museveni and others have always complained about corruption in the judiciary, the Inspector General of Government (IGG) Faith Mwondha on Thursday went a step further by revealing that she knows the corrupt judges.
WHEREAS President Yoweri Museveni and others have always complained about corruption in the judiciary, the Inspector General of Government (IGG) Faith Mwondha on Thursday went a step further by revealing that she knows the corrupt judges.
If indeed the IGG has investigated and compiled a list of corrupt judges, this is commendable. An independent judiciary is an essential part of democracy and development. Corruption in the judiciary undermines the rule of law and the right to justice. It denies justice to the poor while rewarding wealthy offenders. In essence, it undermines democracy and development.
The IGG, who is charged with fighting corruption in the country, is therefore right to intervene if some judges have questionable integrity. However, she should go all the way to name and take action against the corrupt judges. It is not enough to simply keep a black book of corrupt judges. That would be like a watchdog witnessing a robbery without biting.
We should not stop at making blank statements which dent the image of even those who have never taken a bribe. The Inspector of Courts and the Judicial Service Commission should work hand in hand with the IGG to weed out the corrupt and salvage the image of the institution.
If indeed the IGG has investigated and compiled a list of corrupt judges, this is commendable. An independent judiciary is an essential part of democracy and development. Corruption in the judiciary undermines the rule of law and the right to justice. It denies justice to the poor while rewarding wealthy offenders. In essence, it undermines democracy and development.
The IGG, who is charged with fighting corruption in the country, is therefore right to intervene if some judges have questionable integrity. However, she should go all the way to name and take action against the corrupt judges. It is not enough to simply keep a black book of corrupt judges. That would be like a watchdog witnessing a robbery without biting.
We should not stop at making blank statements which dent the image of even those who have never taken a bribe. The Inspector of Courts and the Judicial Service Commission should work hand in hand with the IGG to weed out the corrupt and salvage the image of the institution.