NORTHERN PROVINCE

MUSANZE — Judges have been challenged to make the fight against corruption an integral part of their work because it undermines economic transformation.

Opening a three-day judges’ retreat in Musanze yesterday, the President of the Supreme Court, Aloysie Cyanzayire said that economic transformation can not be achieved if the justice system does not prioritise eliminating corruption in the society.

Court prosecutors and members of the military council also attended the meeting. During the retreat, about 259 judges would be given an opportunity to deliberate on the legal technicalities and ways of harmonising different cases similar but with differing magnitude.

Participants would largely focus on the role of the judicially in promoting economic development, according to organisers.

"You are accountable to society; if there is a problem you should use the means available and your knowledge to provide answers,’’ Cyanzayire said.

She said the judicial system should be based on four pillars; speed, quality, professionalism and integrity, saying it is the only way to build trust of the nationals and the foreign investors.

Presenting the programs of Economic Development and Poverty reduction strategy [EDPRS] the Secretary General of Ministry of commerce John Rwangombwa, also said that the justice system was essential in growth and poverty reduction.

He stressed the need for a strong legal framework to recover money from corrupt government officials. Johnston Busingye, the President of the High Court, asked the local authorities to intervene in identifying the cause of the high number of cases and also provide lasting solutions to reduce a backlog of cases.

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