CORRUPTION AMONG COURT CLERKS IN KABALE WORRY PRINCIPAL JUDGE

By Kweronda Ambrose
in kabale—-
The concern of court clerks soliciting bribes from court clients, alleged hiding of case files and adjournment of cases for a long period of time have dominated the open court session at Kabale High Court that was chaired by Principal Judge Justice Dr Flavian Zeija.

During the session held yesterday at Kabale High Court grounds, in Kikungiri, the Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner Ronald Bakak said that the rate at which court clerks in Kabale solicit bribes to help in giving services is worrying.

He said that on weekly basis, he receives about 10 complaints where the clerks ask money ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 shillings, claiming that it’s for the magistrates to help in quickening the case, favoring them to win the case or securing court bill to suspects from prison, if not the file is hidden until the money is paid.

Phionah Kemigisha, a resident of Butanda Sub County in Kabale district said that she took a case of malicious damage before court since 2014, the case file went missing up to now, saying that this has stressed her.

Ronald Niwamanya a resident of Kyanamira said that he has spent seven years before Magistrates court on the case of attempted murder but there has never been any court decision, saying that they are inquiring a lot of time and costs going to court yet the case is always adjourned.

In response; the Principal Judge Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, said that soliciting bribes from clients is a serious violation of the court’s rules and regulations and a breach of trust between the court and its clients.

He however blamed the Magistrates for not giving time to clients to listen to their challenges.

He asked the court clients to always report and look for the evidence that can pin court clerks so as they can be apprehended