Chairpersons of the Court Martial and military prosecutors have been urged to uphold fairness, impartiality, and justice in the administration of military law, in a bid to strengthen discipline and professionalism within the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
The call was made by Brigadier General Wycliff Keita, Joint Staff Training and Doctrine, during the opening of an eight-day Legal Services Induction Training at the Junior Staff College in Jinja.
“Those entrusted with administering military justice must at all times remain fair, impartial, and just. Your decisions should be guided by the evidence before court and the law, not personal interest or external influence,” Brig Gen Keita said.
He described the training as timely, following a Supreme Court decision that set new standards for Uganda’s military court system. “The role of prosecutors and court chairpersons is critical in safeguarding the credibility of military justice and public confidence in the UPDF,” he added.
Brig Gen Keita emphasized that the military justice system exists to maintain discipline and order in the UPDF and ensure soldiers remain law-abiding. Participants were encouraged to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training in their daily duties.
Colonel Susan Mwanga, Commandant of the Legal Training Centre, noted that the induction program was designed to refresh participants on proper legal procedures in military courts. “This course is intended to remind you of the correct legal processes and to strengthen your capacity to dispense justice professionally,” Col Mwanga said.
The training was attended by members of the Joint Staff Legal Services, senior and junior officers of the Junior Staff College, as well as chairpersons and military prosecutors of the Court Martial.
