New measures to curb litigations against govt will make a difference

Editor, Reference is made to Johnston Busingye (Minister for Justice and Attorney General)’s article, “Bringing to end litigations against govt”, published in The New Times issue of August 21.

Thursday, August 21, 2014
Contractors including those in the infrastructure sector have engaged in court battles with government . File.

Editor,

Reference is made to Johnston Busingye (Minister for Justice and Attorney General)’s article, "Bringing to end litigations against govt”, published in The New Times issue of August 21.

Many thanks for the good and promising approach to an issue that has been around for some time. I believe mitigating the loss of government cases in the courts of law and/or limiting cases that go to courts.

I think it will also address issues of injustice done by some officials of whom many don’t get filed to the courts of law or get reported anywhere as some people just fear to wrestle with authorities or just fail to get an appropriate forum to address them.

Anyone can simply draw the attention to the number cases/issues that get resolved when the Head of State visits the people or during Umushyikirano. In other words, if the majority of those adversely affected by commissions or omissions of our actions as government officials would file them to the courts of law, believe me or not, the percentage of losing cases and subsequently the amount paid would be higher than what has been report ever since.

Robert Ssali, Rwanda

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I like Minister Busingye for standing up for what he believes in and his attempts to mobilise for good causes. I am a practising lawyer and have attended many meetings where he does his best to get us understand and own particular causes in justice.

I have always known that litigation against government happens but it is from this article that I am beginning to understand it. Even as a private lawyer, I am beginning to see the role I can play to reduce this litigation, and the interest I have in it.

Hope, Rwanda