Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija has unveiled plans to establish a modern Judicial Training Institute (JTI) in Nakasongola District, describing the facility as a centre of excellence that will transform judicial education and strengthen Uganda’s justice system.
Justice Zeija shared the vision during a visit to the 17-acre piece of land earmarked for the institute, where he met officials from the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the Judicial Training Institute, Judiciary leadership and Nakasongola District Local Government.
NEC is expected to undertake construction of the facility, with the visit aimed at providing the contractor with guidance on the Judiciary’s expectations and the scope of infrastructure to be included in the project’s master plan.
The Chief Justice described the site as the future home of Uganda’s premier judicial academy, saying the institute will serve as an intellectual and professional hub for the country’s third arm of government.
“We are gathered on the very foundation of what will soon become the intellectual and professional powerhouse of Uganda’s third arm of Government,” Justice Zeija said.
He said the institute will go beyond a traditional training centre by providing a fully-fledged residential academy equipped with modern facilities, including an auditorium, breakout rooms, a model court for practical training, health centre, gymnasium, swimming pool and accommodation facilities.
Justice Zeija said continuous judicial education is critical in improving the quality of justice delivery, noting that many countries have invested in specialised judicial academies to equip judicial officers with skills needed to address emerging challenges.
“Uganda cannot and will not be left behind,” he said.
The Chief Justice said the idea of establishing a permanent Judicial Training Institute was conceived during his tenure as Principal Judge after a benchmarking visit to judicial training institutions in Kenya and Tanzania.
He said the delegation was inspired by Kenya’s Judicial Training Institute and Tanzania’s Judicial Academy in Lushoto, which operates as a residential academy with permanent training facilities.
“Driven by what I saw in Tanzania, I came straight to Nakasongola upon my return and engaged the district leadership on the idea of establishing a world-class judicial training institute here,” Justice Zeija said.
He commended Nakasongola District Local Government for donating the 17-acre piece of land but appealed for additional land to allow the Judiciary to develop a facility comparable to leading judicial academies in the region.
The Chief Justice said the project will benefit not only the Judiciary but also the wider community through job creation, increased business opportunities and socio-economic transformation in Nakasongola District.
“The institute will not only serve the Judiciary. It will be a historic infrastructure project that will create jobs, stimulate economic activity and drive development in Nakasongola District and beyond,” he said.
Legal framework in place
Justice Zeija said the Judiciary has already established a legal foundation for the institute through the gazettement of the Judicial Training Regulations, 2025, following the enactment of the Administration of the Judiciary Act.
He added that the Judicial Training Institute Governing Council has also been established to oversee the institution’s operations and ensure it achieves its mandate.
The project is expected to position Uganda among countries with advanced judicial training systems in the region while enhancing professionalism and efficiency in justice administration.
