Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-04-16 08:42:46
Mr. Richard Kikonyogo, a court user, expressed his frustration during the first-ever national court open day ceremony at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala on April 15. He revealed that his case was only scheduled for hearing once a year and attributed the delay to his refusal to pay bribes to judicial officers. Despite spending over 20 years seeking justice, Kikoyongo lamented that even on the rare occasion his case was set for a hearing, the judges were absent, leading to further adjournments.
Kikonyogo’s emotional plea was echoed by other court users like John Bosco Kasoma, who has been in court for 18 years without receiving compensation despite a ruling in his favor by Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire. Nuhu Ntege also shared her frustrations, recounting how she was unable to evict individuals from her land despite having a court order and engaging a court bailiff, due to interference from the Resident District Commissioner.
The event, organized by the Judiciary, provided a platform for court users to voice their grievances and seek solutions to their legal challenges. Kikonyogo highlighted a specific incident where a judicial officer at the Land Division demanded Shs7 million to expedite his case, leaving him financially strained and desperate for assistance in recovering the money.
Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo acknowledged the concerns raised by court users and encouraged constructive criticism to improve the delivery of justice. He emphasized the importance of engaging with the judiciary and judicial officials to address the challenges faced by the public in accessing legal remedies.
The court open day event also featured exhibition stalls from various courts in Kampala and justice service providers like the Police Force, Prisons, and Uganda Law Society. The International Crimes Division of the High Court showcased artefacts from the Joseph Kony war conflict, giving insight into the court’s role in resolving cases of war crimes and human trafficking.
In her address, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jane Frances Abodo, emphasized the office’s zero tolerance for corruption and urged court users to reject demands for bribes from prosecutors. Similarly, the president of the Uganda Law Society, Bernard Oundo, commended the Judiciary for organizing the event to fulfill its constitutional mandate and be more accountable to the public.
Court open days serve as interactive forums for the public to provide feedback to judicial officers and seek redress for their legal grievances. The inaugural event in Kampala involved the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, and magistrates’ courts, underscoring the commitment to transparency and accountability within the judiciary. By fostering dialogue and engagement between court users and officials, such initiatives aim to enhance access to justice and uphold the rule of law.
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