Kerry Howard Mwesigwa.
KAMPALA, November 13, 2023 | The Judicial Training Institute (JTI) has today started a two-week induction of new Acting Judges of the High Court at Imperial Golf View Hotel, Entebbe. The induction will be officially opened by the Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny – Dollo later in the day.
The induction aims to equip the new Acting Judges with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their judicial functions effectively and efficiently. The induction will cover topics such as criminal and civil trial procedure and practice, judicial ethics and conduct, case management and judgment writing, among others.
The induction is being facilitated by experienced judges and experts from various fields of law. Justice Amos Kwizera (Resident Judge Mbarara High Court sitting at Bushenyi) is chairing the first session where Justice Michael Elubu is presenting a paper on Criminal Trial Procedure and Practice in the High Court (pre-trial, plea taking, Trial Process up to Conviction/Acquittal). In the second session, Justice Musa Ssekaana, Head, Civil Division will take their Lordships through the Civil Trial Procedure and Practice in the High Court. The session will be chaired by Lady Justice Jacqueline Mwondha (Resident Judge Mukono High Court Circuit).
The Executive Director of JTI, Lady Justice Damalie N. Lwanga, said that the induction is part of the JTI’s mandate to provide continuous professional development for judicial officers and staff. She added that the JTI also conducts trainings for other stakeholders in the justice sector, such as advocates, prosecutors, police officers, prison officers, and court users.
Meanwhile, as part of the public awareness campaigns in western Uganda, a team from the Communications and Public Relations Registry, led by the Senior Communications officer, Ms Halimah Kaggwa, is doing a sensitisation campaign about the Judiciary innovations and mechanisms put in place for improved justice delivery at Mbarara High Court.
The Deputy Registrar of Mbarara High Court, HW Nanteza Zulaika, has sensitised the litigants about how to fast track their court cases, complaint handling mechanisms at the Court as well as how to improve the relationship between court and court users. She also explained the various services and facilities available at the Court, such as the mediation centre, the small claims procedure, the e-justice system, the toll-free line, and the suggestion boxes.
The sensitisation exercise is also a platform to get feedback from court users on their experiences and challenges in accessing justice. The Assistant Registrar HW Rania Naluyima, Chief Magistrates; HW Andrew Kabombo and HW Nantaawo Agnes Shelagh are also taking part in the sensitisation exercise.
