By Our Reporters
Luwero district RDC Phoebe Namulindwa says she recently got a phone call from President Museveni directing her to investigate corruption among Court Clerks working in Luwero district. Namulindwa says the President rang her after getting endless reports and complaints from his NRA veterans accusing the clerks of corruption, bribe-solicitation and extortion. And during a Monday visit to Luwero area, members of the JLOS Integrity Committee established as much as Luwero Chief Magistrate Samuel Munobe admitted being aware of such public concerns being widespread in his area of jurisdiction mostly against court clerks. He says administrative steps have been taken resulting into some being transferred. Munobe promises to intensify supervision and asked residents to report to him for action. Justice Paul Gadenya, a member of the Justice Law and Order Sector Integrity Committee, says during their Luwero field visit, they recorded the complaints and names of the implicated officers and will be submitted to the judiciary human resource for appropriate action. Justice Elizabeth Musoke, who led the team, said they will investigate the implicated officers and report back to the stakeholders on the action taken.
There are eight teams under Justice Law and Order Sector Integrity committee, which are traversing the country to ascertain integrity and adherence to ethical values while administering justice. The team comprises of senior Police Commanders, Prison Commanders and Judges among other officials.
JUDICIARY TOUR
On Monday, Court of Appeal Judge, Elizabeth Musoke led a select team of the Justice Law and Order Sector Integrity Committee to Luwero for a public meeting that was held at Luwero Magistrate’s court to ascertain and assess the level of adherence to ethical and integrity standards. A report carried by Uganda Radio Network shows that the integrity committee meeting was used by residents to pin court clerks attached to the magistrate’s court and officers in the registry for pocketing bribes to register cases and allow litigants any access to the magistrates. The general practice requires that to file a court case, one pays between Shs1800 and Shs25,000 depending on the case and subject matter therein. But Emmanuel Nsubuga, a resident of Luwero town council told Elizabeth Musoke’s team that at Luwero magistrate’s court one has to part with between Shs50,000 and Shs500,000 to successfully file a case and meet a magistrate to handle it. Samuel Mwanje, another resident said some court clerks ‘hijack’ complainants and block them from accessing the magistrates even when they need attention. Other residents accused the clerks of conniving with defendants and leak complainant’s files against them before they reach the concerned magistrate. The residents asked the committee to investigate the officers and transfer the rotten clerks if justice is to prevail at the court. Erasto Kibirango, a lawyer who practices in Luwero says there is need for magistrates to maintain an open door policy so as to avoid corruption tendencies involving their clerks.
