KATIKKIRO MAYIGA URGES JUDGES TO BE COURAGEOUS IN DELIVERING JUSTICE TO THE VULNERABLE
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has called upon judicial officers to exhibit courage and integrity while dispensing justice, with special attention to the most vulnerable members of society including the poor, children, girls and women.
Mayiga said courts play a central role in uniting communities across the world by ensuring justice prevails. When justice is delivered fairly and wisely, he noted, citizens are able to engage in productive activities that drive economic transformation and national development.
The Katikkiro made the remarks while meeting a delegation of Magistrates from the Mwanga II Court in Mengo, who had paid a courtesy visit to his office at Bulange, Mengo, to explore how the Kingdom can support the judiciary in handling cases that require cultural guidance.
Mayiga emphasized the importance of a strong and independent judiciary in any country.
"Here in the Kingdom, we deeply value the rule of law, and the judiciary does a great deal to ensure that the rule of law prevails. That is why we encourage you to be courageous, because yours is a difficult job, and not only difficult in Uganda but in other countries as well," Mayiga said.
He added that it is crucial for a nation to appreciate and respect the work of the judiciary as a pillar of governance.
MAGISTRATES SEEK BUGANDA'S CULTURAL GUIDANCE.
The delegation of Magistrates, led by Chief magistrate Doreen Ajuna, told the Katikkiro that their visit was aimed at finding better ways of handling certain cases by drawing on Buganda's rich cultural heritage and traditional wisdom.
According to them, a significant number of cases that come before their court have strong cultural and traditional undertones, particularly those related to land ownership, family disputes and interpersonal relationships among Ugandans.
They noted that a closer working relationship with the Kingdom would help them understand cultural contexts better and deliver more culturally sensitive and sustainable judgments.
PUSH FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
The second Chief magistrate Daphine Ayebare said the proposed partnership is also intended to address the persistent case backlog through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
She explained that the court already has a pool of accredited mediators who are capable of reconciling parties and resolving disputes amicably without going through lengthy court processes.
"We want to collaborate with the Kingdom and its leadership through training and sensitization, to spread the gospel of mediation and resolving conflicts through alternative means. This way we can promote reconciliation and restore relationships within families," Ayebare said.
She further noted that the judiciary believes mediation can be effectively applied to cases with cultural dimensions, where traditional reconciliation mechanisms may be more appropriate than adversarial litigation.
The Magistrates requested that the Kingdom second a representative to their mediation sessions to provide cultural perspective. The Kingdom welcomed the proposal and agreed that official summons and documentation would be channeled accordingly.
The meeting was also attended by Buganda's Attorney General, Christopher Bwanika, the Kingdom's Minister for Information, Israel Kitooke, and other officials.
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