UGANDA: MP accuses junior court officials of extortion

By OTUSHABIRE TIBYANGYE

Mbarara District Woman MP Emma Boona has accused junior court officials of extorting money from the litigants on behalf of their bosses (magistrates and judges).

“The public is not happy with the conduct of court clerks and other junior staff. They extort money,” she said.

Ms Boona was speaking at Uganda Law Society (ULS) offices on Wednesday during the launch the pro bono legal services. She wondered why it is always the poor who lose cases in court and asked for fairness, especially to the widows and orphans who she said are suffering at the hands of their relatives.

Ms Boona asked the staff of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to sensitise the public about how they operate. She said people are not satisfied with their services.

Mr Peter Rubarema, the Mbarara State Attorney, promised to look into the matter of how best they can serve the public.

Mbarara Grade One Magistrate, Isaac Serunukuma advised people seeking justice to use the services of lawyers at the earliest stage possible if they are to get quick justice.

“Justice does not start in the courts of law but the very moment injustice arises like when people are arrested and incarcerated in police cells at times when they are actually on framed up charges,” he said.

Mr Sserunkuuma stressed the need for lawyers to offer free legal services to the elderly, widows and children; the vulnerable groups. He advised the public to tell the truth to their lawyers if they are to win cases.

Source: Saturday Monitor (02/03/2013): http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MP-accuses-junior-court-officials-of-extortion/-/688334/1708300/-/koyprbz/-/index.html