Katureebe institutes task force to investigate corruption in judiciary

The Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe has put in place a six-member task force to investigate corruption in the judiciary.

A recent investigative report by the New Vision, a government newspaper unearthed corruption in the criminal justice system where members of the public are asked to pay money before getting justice.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the judiciary spokesperson, Solomon Muyita revealed that the task force will be headed by the Inspector of Courts, Immaculate Busingye and would commence business with immediate effect.

The task force has been tasked with a duty of interfacing with the investigations team of Vision Group to understand the scope and purpose of their ongoing project.

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The team will also receive media recording related to the matter in a bid to identify judiciary staff involved in the scandal before making recommendations on the way forward and report back to the Chief Justice in 30days time.

The Chief Justice said his administration will ensure that any court staff captured receiving a bribe will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“What has been happening is people say they have paid money for court services, but they are usually not willing to bring the evidence to us,” Katureebe said.

“We encourage such audits in all courts, and we are willing to do it as a partnership. Our aim should be to take action on the culprits by the Judicial Service Commission.”

The task force also has Vincent Mugabo, a registrar and judiciary Public Relations Officer, Susan Abinyo, a Registrar Magistrates Affairs and Data Management, Godfrey Kaweesa, the Uganda Judicial Officers Association president, Ayebare Tumwebaze (Assistant Registrar in the Office of the Chief Registrar/Projects) and  Solomon Muyita (Senior Communications Officer).

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mike Chibita recently announced he had ordered the Criminal Investigations Division to start investigating corruption in the criminal justice system.

“We have asked the CID director to open up investigations into corruption in the criminal justice system. Files should be opened up and culprits arraigned in court,” Chibita said in a self -initiated interview last month.

“After investigations, everyone involved in this will be prosecuted.”