Justice Kabiito proposes a public stakeholder colloquium on anti-corruption measures in order to have a public discussion on how to improve the administration of justice
The chairperson of the judicial
service commission Justice Benjamin Kabiito has condemned victimization of whistleblowers
by corrupt judicial officers.
Kabiito says there is need to instill
confidence among the public and give comfort and protection against threats of
revenge to persons with genuine complaints and information.
Kabiito explains that most lawyers
and members of the public are reluctant to provide information against sitting judges
who may still be handling cases in which they are a party.He says the causes of this
reluctance and apathy must be addressed.
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Kabiito made the comment as members
of the sixth judicial service commission were sworn in by the Chief justice
Alfonse Owiny –Dollo on Thursday at the Supreme Court.
Justice Benjamin Kabiito has been sworn
in for a second four year term and the same goes for his Deputy Chairperson
Justice Faith Mwondha.
Other members who swore in for a
second term on Thursday include Ruth Sebatindira, Norah Matovu Winyi and John
Butarabaho.
The new member of the commission who
took oath alongside the others is Supreme Court judge Stellah Arach.
The commission's core functions
include, appointing and confirmation of appointed judicial officers and
staff of the judiciary and exercising disciplinary control and removal of such
persons from office.It also handles the appointment of chairpersons
and members of quasi-judicial statutory bodies and tribunals.
Kabiito argues that without
participation of members of the public the fight against corruption is difficult.
He thus proposes a public stakeholder colloquium
on anti-corruption measures in order to have a public discussion on how to
improve the administration of justice, this he says will inform the anti-corruption
strategy.
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Justice Kabiito expressed his thanks
to the speaker of parliament, the appointments committee of parliament, the
minister of Justice and the attorney general for the expeditious consideration
for the matter of the reappointment of members of the sixth commission.He said that this is an important
consideration since appointment of the members of the fourth commission was
done after a year and a half hiatus.