Chairpersons of the Court Martial and military prosecutors have been urged to uphold fairness, impartiality and justice in the administration of military law as a means of strengthening 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.
Brig Gen Keita emphasized that officers entrusted with administering military justice carry a critical responsibility that must be exercised with integrity and independence.
“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,” he said.
He described the training as timely, noting that it comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision that set new standards for Uganda’s military court system. According to Brig Gen Keita, the conduct of prosecutors and Court Martial chairpersons is central to safeguarding the credibility of military justice and maintaining public confidence in the UPDF.
“The military justice system exists to maintain discipline and order in the UPDF and to ensure that our soldiers remain law-abiding,” he added.
Brig Gen Keita urged participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained during the training in their daily duties to strengthen professionalism within the force.
The Commandant of the Legal Training Centre, Colonel Susan Mwanga, said the induction course was designed to refresh participants on proper legal procedures followed in 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 brought together the Joint Staff Legal Services, Brigadier General Moses Wandera, senior and junior officers from the Junior Staff College, as well as chairpersons and military prosecutors of the Court Martial.
