Judiciary to revise monetary jurisdiction for magistrates

Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera has said that the judiciary is revising the pecuniary jurisdiction of the Grade I Magistrate’s court from Shs 20 million to Shs 100 million.

The geographical and monetary jurisdiction of a Magistrate Grade One provided for under Sec. 207 (1) (b) of Magistrates Court Act Cap 16, doesn’t allow them to preside over a matter exceeding twenty million shillings. It also forbids them to try an offense whose maximum penalty is death or imprisonment for life.

Speaking at the induction of the newly appointed acting and Grade I magistrates at Colline hotel Mukono on Monday, Buteera said the revision of the magistrates’ civil jurisdiction will help solve the case backlog at the High court.

“The judiciary is putting bits and pieces together to enhance your pecuniary jurisdiction from Shs 20 million to about Shs 100 million. Research and consultations are still going on, but that is one of the proposals. This means that you must be ready to shoulder a lot of responsibilities, especially during this transition to the new judiciary ushered into by the enactment of the Administration of Judiciary Act 2020,” Buteera noted.

He advised the magistrates to avoid all forms of indiscipline such as corruption, absenteeism, late coming, leaving duty early, laxity in management of court registries, archives and court property, incompetence, and arrogance toward court staff and court users.

“You need to recognize the supervisory role and guidance of your chief magistrates and other supervisors. This is necessary for your mentorship as well as enabling you to learn from your peers to avoid obvious mistakes. These roles are highlighted in the schedule of duties and key performance indicators for registrars and magistrates’ manual. I encourage you to read this manual.”

Justice Mike Chibita, the chairperson of the governing board of the Judicial Training Institute, asked the new magistrates to appreciate the offices in which they are appointed for better service delivery.

“One of your colleagues did not appreciate the appointment given to him; according to the press, he sneaked and sat examination papers for his girlfriend, and this explains why he is not here for induction,” he noted.

On July 26, Musa Ammaari Ssemwogerere, the appointed magistrate, sneaked into Lira branch of Law Development Centre (LDC) where he was caught sitting an exam for Irene Mutonyi, a student at the centre. Ssemwogerere was among the 87 magistrates appointed by the Judicial Service Commission on July 13, of this year.

Justice Damalie Lwanga, the executive director of the Judicial Training Institute, said the induction aimed at training judicial officers on their responsibilities will last for two weeks.