Speaking on the Salam TV Judiciary Show hosted by Mariam Busingye, Counsel Naula Hajira, a Senior Legal Officer at the Judicial Service Commission, said corruption within the justice system undermines legal processes and disproportionately affects vulnerable citizens.
“Justice isn’t just about having good laws — it’s about having honest people to enforce them. When corruption pushes into the courtroom, the guilty walk free, the innocent suffer, and the law becomes a weapon for the wealthy,” Hajira said.
She identified the Land Division as one of the areas where corruption risks are particularly high, citing cases where private dealings can allegedly influence judicial outcomes.
“Imagine standing in a courtroom, your fate resting on the evidence you’ve presented, only to realize that the judge’s decision was already made before — not in the chambers, but in a private meeting with the opposing party’s lawyer,” she said.
Hajira said corruption thrives where institutions are weak, accountability mechanisms are ineffective, ethical standards decline and members of the public lack adequate knowledge about court procedures.
She added that poverty and limited access to legal representation often leave litigants vulnerable to exploitation by individuals seeking to manipulate judicial processes.
According to Hajira, the consequences of corruption extend beyond individual court cases, affecting economic development, governance and social stability.
“Corruption breeds injustice and lack of trust. It diverts public funds from essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure, directly increasing poverty and inequality,” she said.
She warned that corruption also undermines democracy by weakening trust in public institutions and allowing private interests to influence decision-making.
Socially, Hajira said corruption normalises dishonesty, discourages integrity and places the greatest burden on vulnerable communities.
To address the challenge, the Judicial Service Commission has proposed a range of interventions, including increasing public awareness about court processes, improving the terms and conditions of service for judicial officers and strengthening monitoring, supervision and disciplinary systems.
Hajira also emphasised the role of technology in improving transparency within the justice system, alongside efforts to promote ethical values among legal professionals.
“Judicial corruption is neither inevitable nor irreversible. Through a combination of institutional reforms, technological integration, and cultural change within the legal profession, we can restore integrity,” she said.
She, however, cautioned that reforms would require political commitment and sustained public participation.
“The integrity of the judiciary is not a given — it is a fragile achievement that must be defended,” Hajira said.
The Judicial Service Commission is mandated to promote and preserve the independence, integrity and accountability of Uganda’s judiciary, including advising on appointments, discipline and reforms aimed at improving justice delivery.