At the ongoing performance retreat for Heads of Circuits and Divisions at Imperial Golf View Hotel, the Judges have honored the Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Richard Buteera and Principal Judge, Dr Flavian Zeija.
During a dinner held for the Judges, Justice Lawrence Gidudu, the head of the Anti-Corruption Division, who spoke on behalf of the Judges, thanked the Deputy Chief Justice for the trail they have created to improve case management processes in the courts.
"You have done things that have impacted us positively. You have left good trails, and when you create them, we follow," he said.
Justice Gidudu expressed his gratitude for the guidance provided and commended the DCJ and PJ for teaching them to manage time effectively and enabling them to accomplish tasks they never thought possible. "We are now more concerned about the data in our dockets and now managing our IT personnel," he noted.
The Judges went on to commend the Deputy Chief Justice for his "exemplary service, dedication in the pursuit of justice and rule of law."
The Judges presented plaques in appreciation of the roles played by both the Principal Judge and the Deputy Chief Justice in improving case management.
Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Richard Buteera, acknowledged that sometimes words are hard to find. He reflected on his first posting on December 16, 1981 and rose through the ranks to inspector of courts, noting how much the Judiciary has changed since then. "The Judiciary I inspected back then is not the same as today. It has improved and is much better," he said. He encouraged everyone to continue striving for progress. "We have come this far, and let us continue doing so," he added.
He emphasized that the improvements being made are for everyone's benefit and urged judicial officers to share knowledge and enhance performance. "This effort is a collective one-let us share, let us improve our performance," he said. Over the past three years, he noted, there has been significant progress. However, he cautioned that delays in case disposal frustrate the public, as prolonged justice erodes confidence in the system.
Justice Buteera expressed his appreciation for the current state of the Judiciary but reminded everyone of their responsibility. "When we come to work, let us remember that the clerk has come to work, the driver has come to work, and your fellow judges have come to work. Let that unite us," he said. He encouraged teamwork, urging judicial officers to listen to one another and build strong teams within their Divisions and Circuits.
The Principal Judge, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, expressed his passion for performance, always striving for excellence and making a lasting impact. He emphasized the importance of being fully aware of what is happening at their respective stations. "Know the business that you have," he said. "That is where we need to reach." He stressed the need for judges to understand their environment and stay informed about their responsibilities.
Justice Dr Zeija thanked the Deputy Chief Justice "For spearheading the fight against Case Backlog as Chairperson of the Judiciary Case Management Committee."
He also commended the Deputy Chief Justice for his dedication, noting that he has never missed a quarterly review meeting. "Under his leadership, the Court of Appeal has performed exceptionally well and continues to deliver." Justice Zeija affirmed his commitment to building on the DCJ's achievements. "The DCJ has had along and illustrious career," he observed. "Thank you, my Lord DCJ, for that wonderful career. We shall rely on you significantly for advice."
He also extended a token of appreciation to the Deputy Chief Justice in honor of his judicial services spanning more than 40 years.
Earlier, the Judges gave Justice Buteera a standing ovation for his exceptional services not only in the Judiciary but the nation at large.
This is the last performance retreat that both the Deputy Chief Justice and Principal Judge are attending in their current positions.
The festivities came to a close with cutting of cake.
The evening festivities were moderated by the Judiciary Public Relations Officer HW James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda.
Posted 27th, February 2025
