Judiciary pledges to consolidate achievements

President Paul Kagame has commended the justice sector for tremendous achievements registered over the years.Launching the 2012-2013 judicial year at the Parliamentary Buildings yesterday, Kagame said the country’s progress in judicial matters was undeniable, adding that “we must continue to improve it”.He warned the justice sector against resting on its laurels. “I encourage Rwandans to continue relying on the law to defend your rights.”Chief Justice Sam Rugege said that, during the last judicial year, all the 84 courts in the country tried about 80,000 cases, representing an increase of 10,000 cases from the previous year.“On average, every judge tried about 24 cases a month compared to the initial target of 15 cases,” said Rugege.In terms of efficiency evaluation, it was realised that 72 per cent of the decisions taken by the lower courts and appealed against, were upheld by the upper courts.Referring to a World Economic Forum Competitiveness report, which ranked Rwanda’s judiciary 25th most independent, Rugege said the sector delivers justice in the name of the people.He said there was need to “reinforce grassroots mediation structures to support our ordinary courts”.Legal practitioners, however, highlighted setbacks, including corrupt judges and court registrars.And, according to the Chief Justice, since 2004, about 35 judges and court registrars were expelled from the profession on corruption related charges.Prosecution has registered a tremendous success in the previous year with finishing off the entire case backlogs which stood at 35,000 at the beginning of the year.Speaking about prosecution of persons implicated in Auditor General reports, Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga said 4120 case files were open, of which 163 are in court while about 441 people were asked to reimburse the unaccounted for funds.As a result, about Rwf201 million was recovered and deposited in state coffers, he said.Regarding the process of tracking down Genocide fugitives and bringing them to justice, Ngoga said that his office has so far issued 146 international arrest warrants, with about 11 cases already tried in foreign countries while 15 are ongoing.“We have not lost a single case of those that have been tried,” said Ngoga.Also, the Prosecution opened up a Genocide fugitive database with details of suspects on the run. About 600 files have been stored in the database.The head of the Kigali Bar Association, Athanase Rutabingwa, said that over the past one year, the Bar Association offered legal aid to 568 people and 350 minors.“In line with empowering the Bar, 70 lawyers were trained in arbitration and mediation, while close to 300 others where equipped with skills in different areas of law,” he added.However, although we are members of the private sector, we would, as lawyers, wish to benefit from government scholarships,” said Rutabingwa.He expressed the need for a new law governing the Bar since it is using an outdated one that was enacted 15 years ago.During the same event, Kagame presided over the swearing in ceremony of senior officials, including a new Member of Parliament, the Ombudsman, and the Army Chief of Staff – Land Forces. Immediate former Chief Justice, Aloysie Cyanzayire, who was in June appointed the new Ombudsman, replaces Tito Rutaremara, now a Senator.Maj. Gen. Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, the new Army Chief of Staff, replaced Lt. Gen. Caesar Kayizari.The new MP, Clothilde Mukakarangwa, a member of the Centrist Democratic Party (PDC) party replaces late Tharcisse Shamakokera (RPF), who passed away early this year.

National

Judiciary pledges to consolidate achievements