The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, on Thursday presided over the closing session of a two-day training on the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to adjudication for judicial officers from the Western Region.
The programme, organised by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), was held at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall.
In her address, Justice Abodo reminded participants that every individual who enters a courtroom carries a profound expectation that justice will be fair, timely, dignified and grounded in respect for their rights. She stressed that the public relies on the Judiciary for independence, impartiality and the protection of rights without fear or favour.
“The public expects courts that listen, courts that act, and courts that treat every person — whether rich or poor, powerful or powerless — with equality and impartiality,” she said.
Justice Abodo noted that embracing HRBA deepens public trust in the rule of law and aligns with the Judicial Code of Conduct, particularly its principles on integrity, independence and respect for human dignity. She urged judicial officers to remain especially attentive to the rights of vulnerable groups, including children, women, persons with disabilities and the indigent.
She further underscored the transformative potential of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), describing it not merely as a case-management tool, but as a practical expression of rights-centred justice. According to her, ADR promotes participation, reduces adversarial tension, enhances access to justice and alleviates the financial and emotional burdens of protracted litigation, particularly for vulnerable communities.
Justice Abodo encouraged participants to return to their respective courts as champions of people-centred justice, guided by HRBA principles such as beginning each case with a rights analysis, ensuring meaningful participation of parties, applying proportionality and delivering reasoned decisions that reflect constitutional and international human rights standards. Above all, she reminded them never to lose sight of human dignity.
Prior to the closure, Justice Asiimwe Tadeo, Resident Judge of Mubende, chaired a session in which participants were taken through a recap of previous deliberations by Dr. Henry Onoria, setting the tone for a series of expert presentations.
Justice Musa Ssekaana of the Court of Appeal shared best practices on applying HRBA within civil adjudication, highlighting its role in strengthening procedural fairness and equitable outcomes. Ms. Samalie Wakholi, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of the Department of Gender, Children and Sexual Offences, provided insights into HRBA application across the broader justice sector, drawing on experience from prosecution, prisons and policing.
Lady Justice Susan Okalany, Deputy Head of the International Crimes Division, delivered an engaging session on adjudicating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases, emphasizing survivor-centred approaches and adherence to international human rights norms. The training also featured a presentation from Ms. Barbara Kilei, Country Manager of the International Development Law Organisation, on human rights in business, highlighting the Judiciary’s evolving role in safeguarding rights within commercial environments.
Each presentation was followed by a plenary discussion, giving judicial officers the opportunity to interrogate key issues, reflect on practical courtroom challenges and exchange best practices from their respective jurisdictions. Throughout the training, sessions were moderated by HW Lillian Bucyana, Acting Registrar of the Judicial Training Institute.
The two-day training concluded with the awarding of Certificates of Completion to participants, marking another important step in strengthening rights-centred justice within Uganda’s judicial system.
