Kampala — Handle your work with courage because you have been chosen to dispense justice to all people equally, the Principal Judge, James Ogoola told the newly-appointed judges.

"Don't think that you have come to the land of milk and honey. You have come to the land of huge responsibility, which you must fulfill at all times by dispensing justice to all manner of people without fear or favour." Ogoola narrated his recent visit to the condemned section of Luzira Prison, saying the inmates identified the judges, who convicted them. He, however, said that should not scare the judges from carrying out their duties with a clear conscience.

The principal judge made the remarks on Wednesday while closing a seminar organised by the High Court Commercial Division in Kampala for the new judges. In reference to the Bible, Ogoola said: "Unless the seed dies, how can it germinate afresh? "Unless the water flows, it becomes stale and unless the body breathes the person suffocates - such is the cycle of life." Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Justice John Wilson Kwesiga pledged to put to good use the knowledge they had acquired from the Commercial Division. He noted that they were particularly impressed with the concept of alternative dispute resolution, whereby people settle their differences without going through the whole court process. The deputy head of the Commercial Court, Justice Lameck Mukasa, said he was impressed by the eagerness of the new judges to learn new methods of resolving disputes in court.

The former head of the division, Justice Frederick Egonda-Ntende, hailed the relationship among the judges, other judicial officers and support staff in the division, describing it as wonderful. Egonda-Ntende was recently transferred to head the High Court Civil Division. His former deputy, Justice Yorakamu, was promoted to head the Family Division. Ogoola and Mukasa presented souvenirs to Egonda-Ntende and Bamwine and certificates of attendance to the new judges.