Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | The Criminal Division at the High Court recently welcomed a group of approximately twenty-five Master’s degree psychiatric students, specializing in Forensic Psychiatry. Hailing from Butabika Hospital and Makerere University College of Health Sciences, this initiative follows the successful interaction with forty students the previous week.

The visiting students, led by Dr. Apio Irene Wengi, a Forensic Psychiatrist at Butabika Hospital, were provided with a comprehensive overview of the various facets of a criminal session by the Division’s Deputy Registrar, HW Festo Nsenga.

Their primary objective was to gain firsthand experience and insights into the crucial role of expert information, especially when preparing medical reports required in the trial process.

Mr. George Nabongho, a Clerk at the Division, delivered a thorough presentation on a range of topics. These included an introduction to the court environment, legal concepts such as insanity and diminished responsibility, the creation of court reports, and an understanding of the court’s structure. Additionally, the session covered parties involved in criminal and civil suits, the criminal justice process in Uganda, methods of disposal following conviction in court, fitness to plead, the doctrine of fair hearing, and the role of an expert witness during court hearings.

During the interactive session, the Deputy Registrar fielded questions from the medical students. These inquiries encompassed the role of expert witnesses in legal proceedings and the remedies available for individuals deemed unsound of mind in the criminal justice system.

The event proved to be an invaluable opportunity for the medical students to enhance their understanding of the intersection between psychiatry and the legal system. It allowed them to explore the critical role of medical expertise in the judicial process, ultimately strengthening their capacity as future practitioners in the field of Forensic Psychiatry.

This initiative demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Criminal Division to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration between the medical and legal professions, further enhancing the delivery of justice in Uganda.