The first bailiff to be appointed in the Office of the Ombudsman has been challenged to help fast-track the execution of pending cases and to investigate why they took long to be solved.

Philbert Segutunga, who took oath of office yesterday alongside other non-professional bailiffs and notaries to be deployed to different institutions in the country, was also urged to expeditiously deal with cases that are brought before his office.

"This is the first time we have a bailiff at the Ombudsman’s office and it’s a great move because it will help ensure people get timely justice. Having all pending cases solved as soon as possible is one of our major targets this year,” said Johnston Busingye, the minister for justice.

Segutunga is tasked with executing judicial decisions, recover debts arising from contractual or legal obligations to the office of the Ombudsman, among other attributions.

He expressed confidence that he would diligently execute his duties.

"We receive cases from the whole country and we have the task of disposing them off on a timely schedule. I have already handled some cases but now that I am fully empowered by the law, am ready to serve the Rwandan people and ensure that they get timely justice,” the bailiff said.

Segutunga said most people take long to get justice because of bureaucracy in lower administrative units but warned that if bailiffs and other concerned officials don’t comply with the rules, they will have to face the law.

"When a person comes to us, we forward the case to the district executive secretary, whom we give 30 days to close the case. If the days elapse without any conclusion, basing on their explanation we might add them 15 more days. If nothing is done, then we proceed to have them punished according to the law,” he said.

Segutunga added that they handle cases ranging from civil and compensation to commercial ones.

Two non-professional bailiffs sworn-in yesterday will be based at Justice ministry and their role will be to recover assets that the government wins in litigations.

"The government has won many cases but people are reluctant to hand over the property. It will be your duty to see that these people settle what they owe government,” Busingye told the bailiffs.

The notaries, who included district executive secretaries, sectors and cells, were asked to uphold the rule of law as a cornerstone for the country’s development.

Overall, 42 officials were sworn in; 35 non-professional bailiffs, and seven notaries.

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