The Uganda Bar Association has directed its members to stop bowing to judges and discontinue the use of colonial-era honorifics in courts.
The directive, which took effect immediately, was contained
in an executive order issued on Tuesday and signed by Isaac Ssemakadde,
president of the bar.
The order was issued to coincide with Saba Saba Day, which
commemorates resistance against authoritarianism in East Africa.
In the statement, the bar association said Uganda’s
judiciary is suffering from executive interference, prolonged delays in
dispensing justice, judicial corruption, selective justice, and attacks on
lawyers.
It also accused the military of undermining judicial
independence through unlawful arrests, court invasions, detention of civilians,
obstruction of lawyers and journalists, and the trial of civilians before
military tribunals.
The association argued that these problems have been
sustained by what it described as an outdated colonial court culture that
places judicial officers above citizens through compulsory displays of
deference.
Under the directive, lawyers are prohibited from bowing or
engaging in any other form of physical subservience before judicial officers.
The association also abolished the use of titles including
“My Lord”, “Your Lordship”, “My Lady”, “Your Ladyship”, and “Your Worship”.
Instead, members were directed to address judicial officers
as “Mr. Justice” or “Madam Justice” for appellate court judges, “Mr. Judge” or
“Madam Judge” for High Court judges, and “Mr. Magistrate” or “Madam Magistrate”
for magistrates.
They may also address judicial officers by their surnames
where appropriate.
The bar further directed lawyers and litigants to “stand
upright and speak as free citizens”, saying members should no longer observe
court rituals that subject citizens to humiliation while elevating public
officials.
As part of the reforms, the association announced plans to
begin a nationwide consultation within 90 days to review judicial dress,
language and courtroom practices.
The consultation will examine the continued use of colonial
wigs, gowns and foreign-language requirements, with a view to adopting
alternatives that better reflect Uganda’s history, climate and culture.
It will also review the judiciary’s client charter to ensure
it is written in plain language and guarantees citizens’ rights to respect,
timely service, access to information and effective redress.
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