Deputy Chief Justice warns judicial officers against taking bribes

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The Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera has warned judicial officers against taking bribes in the administration of justice, saying it blinds the eyes of the wise.

Buteera sounded the warning to the judicial officers during the Judiciary thanksgiving breakfast prayers at the Supreme Court conference hall on Friday.

“Do not pervert justice because it promotes unfairness. Don’t accept bribes because they blind the eyes of a wise person,” Buteera said.

The 2024 Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) report revealed bribery as one of the factors frustrating access to justice in the country.

Bishop Joshua Lwere interacting with Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera, and Principal Judge, Dr Flavian Zeija. (Credit: Farooq Kasule)

Buteera also urged the judicial officers to carefully study the cases before them in order to offer meaningful justice to the people.

Citing the Uganda Judicial Code of Conduct, Buteera said judicial officers are expected to be impartial in the administration of justice.

Drawing from the Bible which encourages Christians to try to settle their disputes among themselves before taking them to the courts of law for adjudication, Buteera also urged the judicial officers to support, promote and implement Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at their respective courts.

In regard to the thanksgiving prayer breakfast which is held quarterly, Buteera said the Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo designates it because there is a lot for the judicial officers to thank God for including the gift of life.

Bishop Joshua Lwere who presided over the prayers also encouraged the judicial officers to utilise their potential in administration of justice.

Lwere also warned the judicial officers against taking bribes in the administration of justice saying whoever takes money that he or she has not worked for creates a debt on his account.

“If you steal big, you lose it big because when you get sick, you are referred abroad for treatment. When you buy a piece of land, you buy air,” Lwere said.

Lwere also encouraged the judicial officers to ensure that they double their efforts in the administration of justice saying unexplained opportunities come to those who work hard.