The Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamony Owiny-Dollo, has urged newly sworn-in judicial officers to understand the Constitution, their responsibilities, and to work with integrity.

He made these remarks on January 16, 2024, during the swearing-in ceremony of five judicial officers at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala.

Owiny-Dollo stated that they should exercise the favor bestowed upon them by God to execute their work.

“We are favored to be judicial officers, as outlined in the Bible in Deuteronomy 16:18–20,” CJ Owiny-Dollo said.

Richard Buteera, the Deputy Chief Justice, urged officers to exercise extreme caution while carrying out their duties, to avoid being rude to litigants, and to maintain positive relationships with those they supervise at their stations.

He also urged the officers to maintain positive relationships with other government agencies, such as the DPP, prisons, and the police, in order to achieve excellent results.

“Without this coordination, there is nothing much that will be achieved,” Buteera said.

Flavian Zeija, the country’s principal judge, urged the officers to carry out their duties in the manner expected by the public.

“Your status has now changed; exercise high levels of integrity and be free from corruption. You should shun absenteeism and laziness and be on time to avoid complaints of people going to court when the judicial officers are not there,” Zeija said.

In addition, he urged officers to complete cases on time, inform litigants of their next court appearance dates, and always provide certified copies of proceedings to people early so that they can appeal on time.

The five judicial officers include Hilda Bakanasa Walaga (Ag Chief Magistrate), who previously served as Manager Prosecutions at the Uganda Revenue Authority; Grade 1 Magistrates Asha Nakiwate, who previously worked as a Human Rights Officer for the Uganda Human Rights Commission; Anne Edith Pepera, Derrick Kamanzi, and Ackline Kembabazi, who joined from private practice.