Law students compare notes on Judicial systems

After their visit to the Supreme Court Wednesday, Uganda Law Students’ Association members extolled Rwanda’s Judiciary dubbing it “a model for East Africa”. They said this after being taken through the Rwandan legal system by High Court President Johnston Busingye.

Saturday, June 06, 2009
High Court President Johnston Busingye takes Ugandan law students through Rwandan judicial system at the Supreme Court. (PhotoGBarya).

After their visit to the Supreme Court Wednesday, Uganda Law Students’ Association members extolled Rwanda’s Judiciary dubbing it "a model for East Africa”. They said this after being taken through the Rwandan legal system by High Court President Johnston Busingye.

Busingye, who is also a principle judge at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), presented to the students the pillars of Rwandan judiciary and its efficiency brand explaining the elements that make it unique to Uganda and other East African countries.

Speaking after Busingye’s briefing, the students described the country’s judicial system as rational and practical.

"Rwanda as country ranks very high in terms of efficiency and government organs management, from what I have observed the judicial system is well organised as compared to many other countries that I have visited,” said Onyango Ogange a student of Kampala University.

Jackie Kwamboka from Makerere University applauded the judicial principles of time bound judgements noting that this would eliminate the backlog of cases common in other countries.

"It is important that judges feel obliged to issue judgements on time so that cases don’t drag for years,” said Kwamboka emphasizing the adage that justice delayed is justice denied.

Dennis Atwijukire, another student, added that he was impressed by the working of governments departments.

"Compared to Uganda most especially in systems of administration Rwanda is much better and given the chance I would love to apply the professionalism and skills that I have experienced here in our government,” said Atwijukire
The students have been in Rwanda on a week-long study tour.

Ends