Justice Chibita made the remarks while opening a two-day training on Criminal Trial Procedure for judicial officers from Western Region Cluster II, comprising judges, registrars and magistrates.
The training was held at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall and organised by the Judicial Training Institute.
The programme is aimed at improving participants’ knowledge and application of criminal trial procedures, with a strong focus on the increasing role of forensic science and digital evidence in the administration of justice.
It follows a needs assessment that identified gaps in the interpretation and handling of such evidence within the justice system.
Justice Chibita said courts are no longer operating in a legal environment dependent solely on oral testimony and eyewitness identification.
“The courts we serve no longer operate in a world of purely oral evidence. The classic questions of criminal adjudication who saw, at what time, and by what description have been significantly supplemented, and in many cases supplanted, by the rigour of forensic science,” he said.
He emphasized that forensic science now plays a central role in linking physical evidence to legal decision-making by providing objective data that assists courts in establishing facts and delivering fair judgments.
Justice Chibita further noted that forensic evidence is crucial in establishing guilt or innocence, exonerating wrongly accused persons, reconstructing crime scenes, supporting expert testimony and guiding sentencing decisions.
He cautioned judicial officers on the need to understand both the strengths and limitations of forensic material, particularly issues related to chain of custody, admissibility and ethical considerations in criminal proceedings.
The Supreme Court Judge challenged participants to deepen their understanding of key forensic disciplines, including fingerprint analysis, DNA testing, computer forensics, toxicology and ballistic examinations, alongside improved handling of digital evidence.
“Printing a screenshot of a messaging application and tendering it as an exhibit is no longer adequate. Judicial officers must understand metadata, the chain of custody for electronic evidence, and the applicable admissibility standards under Ugandan law,” he said.
Justice Chibita added that the training is intended to reduce procedural errors and unnecessary adjournments in criminal trials. He noted that participants will also be assessed over a six-month period to determine the impact of the programme.
“This training is not a ceremonial exercise; it is an accountability intervention. The Governing Council will continue to invest in programmes of this nature, but investment demands a return. We expect that return in the form of better courtroom performance,” he said.
Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, said the training was demand-driven and aligned with directives from the Chief Justice to ensure capacity building reflects emerging trends in the justice sector.
He noted that modern criminal trials increasingly rely on scientific and forensic evidence, including DNA analysis, ballistic reports, call data records and digital forensic investigations.
“Criminal justice is no longer solely about eyewitnesses and direct identification. Today, forensic science and digital evidence are becoming central to determining criminal responsibility,” he said.
He added that judicial officers must be equipped to properly evaluate expert testimony and ask the right questions in court in order to make informed and evidence-based decisions.
The training is part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Uganda’s justice system in response to evolving forms of crime and advancements in investigative technology.