Leaders in Mubende District have expressed their appreciation to former Chief Magistrate Caroline Byakutaaga for transforming the Mubende judicial system during the two years she served at the Mubende Magistrate’s Court.
During a farewell ceremony held at Joyce Hotel in Mubende, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Umar Lule Mawiya, described Byakutaaga as a hardworking magistrate who served Mubende with dedication and integrity.
“You know your duty is quite challenging, but Carol handled matters with care. She would even seek guidance from our office when necessary. We appreciate you, Carol, for the great job you have done,” said Mawiya.
He further praised Byakutaaga for introducing an initiative to handle small claims, simplifying court processes for Mubende residents.
“I want to thank you for that, Carol, and I also appreciate how you managed plea bargaining—it has truly been a great cause,” Mawiya added.
Mawiya explained that the farewell event was organized to show appreciation for Byakutaaga's service.
“Whoever does well deserves to be appreciated. We are here to acknowledge your efforts, and we promise to support your career progression,” he said.
He welcomed the newly appointed magistrate to Mubende, urging him to follow in Byakutaaga’s footsteps.
“When we were in high school, we used to leave messages on walls emphasizing the importance of being remembered. Leaving a good legacy is very important,” Mawiya noted.
He also recounted a land dispute warning he received from Member of Parliament Pascal upon his arrival in Mubende.
“One MP warned me about a land matter that had caused trouble for my predecessor. But I have handled it, and I am confident that I will leave a good legacy, just as Carol did,” he said.
As a token of appreciation, the RDC awarded Byakutaaga a plaque inscribed: ‘Recognition Award to Her Worship Carol for her exceptional leadership, which brought justice to the people of Mubende, and for outstanding performance as Chief Magistrate of Mubende Court from 2022 to 2024.’
The Mubende Principal Assistant Secretary, Edson Sali, applauded Byakutaaga for combating fraud at the court.
“I want to thank Her Worship Carol for the great job she did in the two years she served as Chief Magistrate. What I cannot forget is how she fought conmen who used to extort money from locals while impersonating judicial officers at Mubende Court,” said Sali.
The Mubende Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Abubaker Birungi, also praised Byakutaaga’s dedication.
“She transformed our court by overseeing the construction of new buildings, including shaded areas, and beautifying the court premises. When you visit the court now, it looks different from how it was before,” he remarked.
He wished her success in her new assignment in Luwero and urged the people of Luwero to work harmoniously with her.
“I request the people of Luwero to welcome Madam Carol warmly because she is a good magistrate who values teamwork and social engagement,” he added.
In her farewell speech, Byakutaaga expressed gratitude to all offices in Mubende District for enabling her to serve without interruptions.
“Mubende has given me a great experience, and I appreciate you for treating me well. Perhaps this is why I was able to fulfill my duties effectively,” she said.
Byakutaaga highlighted her achievements over the two years, including improving relations between judicial officers and the community.
“The first thing I did upon arrival in Mubende was to bridge the gap between judicial officers and the public. Many people feared the court due to misinformation, so I worked to eliminate that fear. Now, people can access court services freely,” she stated.
She also noted the success in tackling fraud at the court.
“Many individuals masqueraded as court officials and extorted money from unsuspecting residents. We worked to eliminate such practices,” she said.
Regarding her working relationships with civil servants, Byakutaaga emphasized that she faced no difficulties.
“Mubende has treated me well, and I will always remember the warm reception I received,” she noted.
However, she acknowledged challenges related to land cases, where wealthy individuals often attempted to tarnish the names of judicial officers.
“In most land disputes, some parties spread false rumors that magistrates accept bribes. Although we encountered a few such cases, my team and I devised solutions to address them, and I can confidently say that we educated the public to prevent such issues,” she said.
In her closing remarks, Byakutaaga appreciated the judicial officers who worked under her leadership.
“As you can see, I am a woman, yet I have been leading men. I want to thank them for respecting me. His Worship Paul Kedi, His Worship Hirally Kiwanuka, and all other judicial officers—thank you for your support,” she concluded.