Chairpersons of the Court Martial, military prosecutors urged to uphold justice

Chairpersons of the Court Martial and military prosecutors have been urged to uphold fairness, impartiality and justice in the administration of military law in order to strengthen discipline and professionalism within the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).

The call was made by the Joint Staff Training and Doctrine, Brigadier General Wycliff Keita, while officiating at 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.

Brig Gen Keita described the training as timely, noting that it follows a Supreme Court decision that set new standards for Uganda’s military court system. He said the role of prosecutors and court chairpersons is critical in safeguarding the credibility of military justice and public confidence in the UPDF.

“The military justice system exists to maintain discipline and order in the UPDF and to ensure our soldiers remain law-abiding,” he added.

He urged participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training in their day-to-day duties.

The Commandant of the Legal Training Centre, Colonel Susan Mwanga, said the induction training was designed to refresh participants on legal procedures followed during the administration of justice 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 the Joint Staff Legal Services, Brig Gen Moses Wandera, senior and junior officers of the Junior Staff College, as well as chairpersons and military prosecutors of the Court Martial.