Gatsibo, 4 September 2015
President Kagame today launched the Judicial Year 2015, at the RDF Combat Training School in Gatsibo District where Judges have been undertaking a three-day retreat.
In his address, President Kagame said the role of the Judiciary that Rwandans expect is to deliver quality and timely justice.
“I would like to commend you for reducing on the time taken to resolve cases and cutting back on the backlog of cases. Today the Rwandans we serve have higher expectations, and I am happy to see that the judiciary is responding to this.”
President Kagame pointed out that although people have come to get used to the notion that some people are more equal than others, Rwanda should not belong to those who think they are less equal.
“We must continue to reject abuse of Universal jurisdiction that serves political ends. We should engage in the fight that corrects wrongs in the justice system. The meaning of universal justice means it applies to me and you, it can’t be universal if it only applies to me. We must continue to reject the abuse of Universal Jurisdiction. We cannot continue to have people committing crimes against our people, seek shelter in countries and hide behind politics. We know of cases that have turned into politics as way of people being protected by those who we least expected to do that.”
President Kagame said the Judiciary should work to eliminate the reality and perception of corruption in the Judiciary.
“It is important to look back and take stock, after the commitment you made 10 years ago and think of how to move ahead. Rwandans deserve an institution that can dispense high standard justice.”
The President of the Supreme Court, Sam Rugege said that during the retreat, the Judges had the opportunity to discuss varying issues affecting the country’s Judiciary and brainstormed on ways of overcoming challenges. He outlined the many achievements registered by the Judiciary in the last decade.
The Prosecutor General thanked President Kagame for his guidance which has continued to shape the institution and improved the way it executes its responsibilities.