The Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo (L) and the Katikkiro of Buganda, Mr. Charles Peter Mayiga,(R)
The Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo and the Katikkiro of Buganda, Mr. Charles Peter Mayiga, earlier held a meeting to discuss Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)mechanisms.
The meeting which took place at the Judiciary headquarters was attended by Mr. Christopher Bwanika(Attorney General, Buganda Kingdom), Mr. Israel Kazibwe (Spokesperson, Buganda Kingdom), Prof. Andrew Khaukha (Judiciary Technical Advisor) and Ms. Allen Namukasa (Personal Assistant to the Attorney General, Buganda Kingdom).
Following the closed door meeting, the Chief Justice held a press briefing where the Chief Justice noted that they engaged in a productive two-hour discussion covering far-reaching concepts beneficial to both the people of Buganda and the country, which focus on improving access to justice.
The Chief Justice highlighted the inefficiencies of the current court system introduced by the colonialists, which has led to significant case backlog, with some cases remaining unresolved for more than 10 years.
He added that a study conducted in Uganda revealed that only 5% of disputes make it to court, primarily because courts are distant, expensive, time-consuming, and often leave even the winners dissatisfied.
To address this, the Chief Justice advocated for making justice more accessible and efficient by integrating informal justice mechanisms. He highlighted that the informal justice has historically brought people together and resolved disputes effectively.
Drawing inspiration from the USA, where only 2% of disputes reach the courts due to the widespread use of ADR mechanisms, the CJ noted that incorporating it could alleviate the burden on the formal judicial system and resolve cases more swiftly.
He expressed confidence that involving community elders in ADR could significantly reduce land disputes and promote a sense of justice even among those who lose cases.
Justice Owiny - Dollo expressed the desire to robustly promote ADR in Uganda, starting with a pilot scheme in the Acholi and Buganda regions, with the aim of learning from initial mistakes and gradually scaling up the initiative.
He highlighted the partnership between Pepperdine University and the Judiciary, which introduced plea bargain, as a successful example of ADR in action.
The Katikkiro, congratulated the Chief Justice on the new Supreme Court complex, emphasizing that the delivery of justice requires not only legal interpretation but also adequate infrastructure.
He expressed support for ADR, underscoring that justice is central to community development.
The Katikkiro also noted that quick and efficient justice fosters development, whereas prolonged disputes hinder progress. He advocated for systems that make people feel justice has been done, acknowledging the value of both formal and informal mechanisms.
The Buganda Prime Minister highlighted Buganda Kingdom's long-standing judicial system, which could become more effective if formally recognized by the Judiciary. He assured support for the ADR pilot study and expressed hope that it would provide effective solutions.
He appreciated the initiative and its alignment with global trends, affirming that Uganda’s experience could serve as a model for other African countries.
Mr. Mayiga was taken on a guided tour of the Courthouse, including the Conference Hall, Gym, Sauna, Steam Bath, and courtrooms, led by Eng. Dr. Christopher Ebal (Commissioner of Engineering and Technical Services).
He also interacted with a team of students from Pepperdine University, led by Ms. Hope Dease(Assistant Director of Advocacy and Marketing at Pepperdine University), who are in Uganda for their internship at the Court.
Posted 28th, May 2024
