Judicial officers have been urged to uphold professionalism, accountability, and consistency in their judgments, following concerns raised about alleged misconduct and corruption within the Judiciary during an open court session held at Kumi High Court.
The engagement, designed to strengthen public participation in justice delivery, called on judicial officers to reflect on their conduct, ensure uniformity in sentencing, and improve public trust in the justice system.The Principal Judge, Jane Francis Abodo, emphasized that the Judiciary must remain transparent and responsive to the public it serves, while encouraging residents to freely express their concerns. “This is the day we are meant to receive our report cards from you on how you have been served.
Please criticize us constructively, so that we can know where we are doing better and where we need to improve,” she stated.She stressed that justice must be predictable and consistent across courts. “I urge you to continue dispensing justice based on professionalism. Let justice be predictable to the community, so that they know you will not issue harsh judgments that leave them in fear. For instance, let it not be that in Kumi, a judge issues a sentence of 50 years for aggravated defilement, while in Fort Portal, a judge issues only 10 years for the same offense.
Justice must be consistent,” she asserted.Justice Abodo said the open court session was intended to rebuild public confidence and reduce fear among residents who previously viewed courts with suspicion. “Today, we want every resident of Kumi to know that this is your court, and it exists to serve you,” she said.
“This open court day was organized to diversify our engagement with you.”She further noted that access to fair justice discourages communities from taking the law into their own hands. “We want the community to bring their cases to court, whether through litigation, mediation, reconciliation, or arbitration.
Public trust is built through accountability, timely delivery of rulings, and respectful treatment of all court users, coupled with zero tolerance for any form of corruption or malpractice,” she added.The Principal Judge also called for improved well-being among judicial officers, noting that workload and personal challenges can affect performance. “We cannot serve the public effectively if we are not well in body and mind. I don’t want you to stress yourselves by trying to write a hundred judgments in one month; it’s not sustainable.
The Judiciary must prioritize wellness and support one another to deliver justice with energy, clarity, focus, and compassion,” she advised.She acknowledged that personal challenges such as illness and financial strain can affect judicial officers’ interactions with litigants. “Most of you have personal issues that can weigh heavily on your mind, such as family illnesses or financial strains.
When litigants come to you seeking justice, you end up shouting at them because of what you’re going through; they are like sick people in need of healing. Therefore, we must treat them with the care and respect they deserve.” The Principal Judge further noted that ongoing Judiciary reforms are aimed at reducing case backlog and improving efficiency in justice delivery. “When cases take too long to be adjudicated, many individuals lose hope, and by the time a judgment is rendered, the parties involved may have lost interest or, tragically, even passed away,” she noted.
The Kumi High Court Resident Judge, Mary Ikit, reported that the court has registered 491 cases since its establishment, most transferred from Soroti High Court, with a current backlog of 128 cases. She said the court is guided by the theme: “Justice that Listens, Serves, and Resolves.” Former Kanyumu County Member of Parliament, Ismail Orot, urged judicial independence and warned against interference in court processes.
“Let the law always have its time to bring justice for everybody. If law and order are respected, development will follow in our communities,” he said. He also called on parents to invest in education, particularly for girls.
“Don’t use your money for drinking; instead, invest it in your children’s education. Look at how the women justices are excelling and serving this nation. We, the people of Teso, should learn from their example and prioritize education for our children.” URN