Deputy Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo raps at government for neglecting Judges’ health
The Deputy Chief Justice, Alphonse Owiny-Dollo has raised concern over government’s failure to look into the issue of medical insurance for members of the judiciary.
On Monday, Lady Justice Jessica Naiga Ayebazibwe of the family division of the High Court in Kampala died in her sleep and according to reports, she succumbed to kidney failure.
Speaking at an extra-ordinary session at the High Court in Kampala for the departed judge, Dollo said that it is appalling that members of the judiciary work hard to ensure justice is dispensed only to be let down by their own health.
“Government must revisit the manner in which it treats judicial officers,”Dollo said.
“Its true we need good roads, electricity and all the development but all this will be useless if investors come here and it takes them ten years to have one case disposed off because the judges are sick.”
Last year, the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe quoted President Museveni as having recognised that judges work so much for so long but they find themselves lacking attention when they retire, citing an example of Justice Kikonyogo who had died without receiving her gratuity.
On Wednesday, the Deputy Chief Justice said that as one of the three arms of government, the judiciary should be assisted to stand firm by looking into some of their problems including health insurance so they can dispense justice well.
“ I know of many judicial officers suffering from ailments connected to the nature of their work. The executive, parliament and judiciary should all be treated the same. You will not have government standing firm when the judiciary is limping.”
Owiny- Dollo told mourners at High Court that there is no reason as to why government does not work on the issue of the judges’ health insurance because it is both reasonable and attainable.
“It makes no sense spending a lot of money on medication and on most occasions there is no result. There is need to ensure the judges and magistrates see doctors for checkup the day they are appointed to these position,” the Deputy Chief Justice said.
Speaking about the deceased many judges confessed that Lady Justice Naiga devoted most of her time to the job that even during sickness, she refused to stay home but came for work.
The Principal Judge, Yorokam Bamwine said that the judiciary is now going to ensure that all judges and magistrates go for compulsory leave as a way of having time off their busy schedules.
Lady Justice Jessica Naiga Ayebazibwe will be laid to rest at her village home at Katukuru in Mbarara district on Friday.
