A pool of trainers who will spearhead the nationwide capacity building of Local Council Court (LCC) members has successfully completed a five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop at Adams Grand Hotel in Entebbe.
The training, organized by the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) in partnership with the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), is aimed at strengthening Local Council Courts and other local government structures in selected refugee hosting districts to enhance access to justice for vulnerable communities, including survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV), refugees and host communities.
The workshop follows a validation exercise conducted by the Local Councils Research Development Department together with consultants who reviewed and harmonized training materials for Local Council Courts, including the Trainers’ Manual, Participants’ Handbook and the Local Council Courts Handbook.
Speaking during the training, Ketty Gaffa, Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Local Council Research and Development Department, said the workshop had come at the right time to prepare a strong resource pool that will support continuous capacity building and effective service delivery in Local Council Courts across the country. “This Training of Trainers workshop has equipped participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to support Local Council Court members in dispensing justice fairly, professionally and with integrity. The resource pool created through this training will ensure sustainability, mentorship, monitoring and continuous backstopping of Local Council Courts,” she said.
The training also focused on the emotional wellbeing and resilience of Local Council Court members to enable them effectively handle the pressures associated with resolving disputes within communities.
“This training has equipped us with practical skills to handle cases fairly, manage trauma among disputing parties and improve access to justice, especially for women, children and persons with disabilities at community level,” said Kamungaro Faisal, Senior Assistant Secretary Town Clerk, Kasese.
Participants were trained in areas including the legal framework applicable to LCCs, judicial ethics, administration of Local Council Courts, human rights, mediation and alternative dispute resolution, trauma informed care, handling Gender Based Violence matters, domestic violence, children related cases and customary land disputes.
Hon. Dora C. K. Byamukama, Consultant at IDLO, urged participants to prioritize teamwork, mental health awareness and trauma informed approaches while handling community disputes and supporting survivors of violence. “Trauma is real, and Local Council Court members are often the first point of contact for victims seeking justice and support. They must therefore be equipped not only legally, but also emotionally and psychologically, to respond effectively and compassionately,” she noted.
The trainees were drawn from various local governments and included Deputy Chief Administrative Officers, Town Clerks, Senior Assistant Secretaries, Principal Assistant Secretaries, Desk Officers for Local Council Courts, Officers from the Ministry of Local Government.
The training is expected to strengthen the capacity of Local Council Courts to deliver accessible, fair and community centered justice across Uganda.