Western Region Judicial Officers Complete Training On Criminal Trial Procedure and Forensic Evidence
Judicial Officers from Western Region Cluster II, comprising Judges, Registrars, and Magistrates, have successfully completed a two-day training on Criminal Trial Procedure and Forensic Evidence organized by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall.
The training, which focused on strengthening participants' understanding of criminal trial processes and the growing role of forensic science in adjudication, concluded earlier today with a closing ceremony. The training was moderated by HW Lillian Bucyana, Ag Registrar Judicial Training Institute.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Justice Muzamiru Kibeedi Mutangula, Justice of the Supreme Court and Member of the Governing Council of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), the Executive Director of JTI, Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, commended participants for their commitment and active engagement throughout the training. He noted that the programme had provided an opportunity for judicial officers to deepen their understanding of the intersection between science and justice through intensive sessions, practical demonstrations, and insightful discussions.
Justice Kibeedi observed that forensic science has transformed modern adjudication by shifting reliance from circumstantial evidence and subjective eyewitness accounts to objective, verifiable, and scientifically tested facts. He emphasized that forensic evidence plays a critical role in establishing the truth, corroborating or challenging testimony, and exonerating the innocent.
He highlighted the practical sessions undertaken during the training, including recovery of forensic evidence from crime scenes, fingerprint identification, firearms and tool mark analysis, DNA profiling, computer forensics, electronic evidence, and the detection of forgery and counterfeiting. These sessions, he noted, equipped participants with a better appreciation of how forensic techniques contribute to fair and evidence-based decision-making.
Justice Kibeedi further reminded judicial officers of their responsibility as gatekeepers of forensic evidence, stressing the importance of scrutinising admissibility, maintaining proper chains of custody, understanding scientific limitations, and critically evaluating expert testimony.
He also revealed that the Governing Council had proposed the introduction of moot court exercises on forensic evidence in future training programmes to provide participants with practical courtroom experience in the reception, analysis, and evaluation of forensic evidence.
Justice Kibeedi expressed appreciation to the Judicial Training Institute under the leadership of Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha for organising the training and thanked facilitators from the Uganda Police Force and other institutions for sharing their expertise. He also commended participants for their active participation and commitment to professional development.
Earlier, Justice Tadeo Asiimwe, Resident Judge of the Mubende Circuit, praised participants for successfully completing the training and noted that the knowledge acquired would positively impact the execution of their judicial mandates. He observed that the extensive discussions and practical engagements on forensic evidence gathering had been both enlightening and beneficial to the administration of justice.
In his remarks, Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha thanked the participants for their full participation and dedication throughout the two-day programme. He encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training in their respective stations to enhance the quality and effectiveness of judicial service delivery.
The training forms part of JTI's ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of judicial officers and promote excellence in the administration of justice through continuous professional development. Today, the participants will commence a two-day training on Civil Trial Procedure, the second phase of the capacity-building programme organized by the Judicial Training Institute for Judicial Officers from Western Region Cluster II. The training will focus on strengthening participants' knowledge and application of civil justice processes to enhance the effective administration of justice.
Posted 23rd, June 2026
