Newly appointed judicial officers have been advised to resign from their new postings if they cannot tame their appetite for bribes.
The stern warning was issued by Principal Judge, Dr. Flavian Zeija, while flagging off the new officers who have been deployed across the country.
At the ceremony on which the new officers took oath of service, Dr. Zeija stressed the need for the new officers to uphold integrity, warning that the judiciary will not hesitate to sack any corrupt officers.
“If you know you have come to steal in the Judiciary, withdraw your oath. You will not survive here, because there is no compromise,” Zeija warned. He equally cautioned them on absenteeism, saying it is not tolerated.
At the same function, the Chief Justice charged the new magistrates to support Judiciary’s goal of “transforming of the Judiciary landscape, image and place in the country. “Go out there knowing that you carry a banner and mantle that says Justice for all,” said the Chief Justice.
He further unpacked the Judicial Oath for the new Magistrates. “The Judicial Oath and Judicial Code of Conduct should therefore be your guardrail and source of inspiration if you are to perform effectively in accordance with the demands of your judicial office.”
He emphasized the need to uphold; Independence, Impartiality, Integrity, Propriety, Equality, Competence and Diligence, the six major principles enshrined in the Judicial Code of Conduct.
The Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera, advised the magistrates to ensure that they do the right thing in the discharge of their duties.
“Don’t be surprised that there are complaints against you, your worry should be, are the complaints valid.” He also cautioned them against acts of corruption. The Chief Registrar said as pioneer appointees in the rank under the Administration of the Judiciary Act, 2020, the new Magistrates have a great responsibility bestowed upon them.
“The Judiciary has become very attractive, many want to come in, the entry gate is narrow gate but the exit gate is wide, so guard your place by doing what is right,” she said.
She further appealed to the Magistrates to love the Judiciary Service and give it their full energy, time and talent; hate the vices that have undermined the Judiciary like corruption, absenteeism, laziness; and be the change they want to see in the Judiciary.
