President Yoweri Museveni has warned judicial officers against the growing vice of impunity in delivering justice and called for people-centered Justice to avoid provoking anger among citizens.
“When you have people who promote impunity, when a thief disturbing the village gets bail, the villagers cannot understand. You are in conflict with the population straight away,” he said.
He added, “Why don’t you keep this person in jail and try him quickly, instead of provoking the villagers and disregarding their rights?”.
President Museveni made the remarks while swearing-in the new Principal Judge, Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, new Inspector General of Government (IGG) Hon. Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze and her deputies over the weekend at Mbale State Lodge.
“That stand-off must end. To have peace in the country, you need full accountability for crimes; otherwise, you will get all sorts of problems,” he strongly warned.
President Museveni said the arrival of a new generation of leaders offered hope for reform.
“Therefore, the coming up of these young people, some of whom I know, is good. For example, Abodo has been in the DPP’s office and she has done some good work. Let me see what she does now that she is Principal Judge,” he said.
President Museveni noted that the colonial structure was a deformity which was not harmonized with the population.
“Our people have their own views on justice which are very clear and closer to the law of Moses: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The tribes can forgive, but you must apologize and compensate,” he said.
Lady Justice Abodo previously served as the Director of Public Prosecutions, a role she held until August this year when she was appointed by the President to her new position.
Also sworn in were Hon. Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze as Inspector General of Government, her deputies Ms. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe and Ms. Patricia Achan, as well as Mr. Lino Anguzu as Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Deputy Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija urged Lady Justice Abodo and other appointees to strengthen court inspections, maintain quarterly reviews of magistrate courts and support special courts for gender based violence.
“She promoted plea bargaining with passion, both as a judge and as DPP. I have no doubt she will deliver,” he said.
