KAGERA: CHIEF Justice (CJ) Prof Ibrahim Juma has said ethics is a core pillar in the provision of justice without which fairness dispensed would be incomplete.
Equally, he appealed to members who form District and Regional Judicial Ethics Committees to educate the citizens on their functions and how they can fully utilise their services.
The CJ made the remarks on Monday while addressing members who the committees attending a two-day face-to face meeting with the Judicial Committee to exchange views and challenges facing the committees.
“Science and technology development has increased citizens’ understanding of justice issues thus increasing their ability to judge and criticise decisions made. “We need to be accurate in our decisions in order to avoid unnecessary criticisms,” he said.
He also appealed to Kagera leaders to put in place favourable infrastructures in Primary Courts, where most people live citing them as reliable electricity, water and houses for judicial workers.
“The sixth phase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has made efforts to increase the budget for judiciary and also by constructing more primary courts in the country. These efforts should be supported,” he said.
Prof Juma also advised Kagera leaders to set aside a budget for running the day-to-day functions of the regional and district judicial ethics committees.
In a related development, Kagera Regional Commissioner (RC) Ms Fatma Mwassa has commended the judiciary for the good work in solving citizens’ problems and timely delivery of justice.
She explained that the establishment of Bukoba High Court was a milestone adding that many cases which had been pending in court for many years had been solved.
“On behalf of all Kagera residents I commend the judiciary for the good work in solving citizens’ problems and timely delivery of justice. Also, the number of murder cases had been greatly reduced,” she said.
RC Mwassa explained that plans had been finalised to conduct capacity building trainings to District Commissioners, District Executive Directors and village leaders on how to solve problems facing people without going to court.
Senior State Attorney (SSA) Nestory Nchimani who is also secretary of the regional judicial ethics committee, on the other hand, said many citizens lack knowledge on the functions of the committee thus appealed for more education to the people at the grassroots level.
