DCJ Flags Off Mbale's First Civil Appeals Session, Urges Stakeholders to Embrace ADR
The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija flags Off Mbale's First Civil Appeals Session
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, flagged off a three-day Court of Appeal civil appeals session at Mbale High Court.
The session, first of its kind to beheld in Mbale, will run from today, 8th September to Wednesday, 10th September2025. It will handle 25 civil appeals and eight related applications.
A panel of three Justices; Justice Christopher Gashirabake, Lady Justice Ketrah Kitariisibwa Katunguka, and Justice John Mike Musisi, will preside over the cases.
Speaking at a stakeholders' meeting, the Deputy Chief Justice explained that the Court of Appeal, which usually sits in Kampala, began holding regional civil sessions alongside criminal sessions to improve access to justice and reduce costs for litigants.
He noted that this (Mbale Civil appeals session) is the Court of Appeal's fifth civil session outside Kampala, after earlier sittings in Gulu, Mbarara, Jinja, and Fort Portal.
"Our resolve is to clear the case backlog in the Judiciary. And this session is a clear indicator that we shall do our best to realize this goal," he stated.
Justice Dr. Zeija added that while these sessions provide short-term relief, the long-term plan is to establish permanent regional circuits of the Court of Appeal. He noted that construction of these circuits has already begun in Gulu and Mbarara, and that Mbale will follow once funds are available.
He also highlighted the Court's heavy workload. However, he noted that the recent appointment of eight new Justices of Appeal, raising the number to 20, was a sign of the Government's commitment to strengthen the Court, with the goal of reaching the statutory ceiling of 35 Justices.
Dr. Zeija also emphasized the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), particularly Mediation. He noted that the Judiciary's Alternative Justice Strategy (AJS), launched in2023, promotes affordable and traditional ways of resolving disputes.
In the current Mbale session, he noted that the Court of Appeal will take 10 cases through pre-mediation. "Where parties agree, one of their Lordships will conclude the mediation process," he said.
He encouraged judicial officers and stakeholders to embrace ADR, adding that countries such as the USA, UK, Denmark, and South Africa use it widely to resolve disputes quickly and fairly.
Justice Dr. Zeija assured stakeholders that judgments from the Mbale session would be delivered within a reasonable time and thanked advocates and justice actors for their support.
In his welcome remarks, Justice Charles Kasibayo (Resident Judge, Mbale High Court) welcomed the Deputy Chief Justice and the Justices of the Court of Appeal to Mbale for the first-ever civil appeal session. He noted that this was a significant step in implementing the Judiciary's policy of establishing regional appellate courts.
Justice Kasibayo also emphasized the importance of Mediation in reducing case backlog, highlighting that lawyers in the region had already embraced the approach with positive results.
Mr. Aaron Bageya Motooka(Representative from the Attorney General's Chambers) reminded advocates of their duty as officers of the Court to guide clients truthfully and uphold justice, rather than merely representing client interests.
Mr. Eddie Nangulu (Representative, Uganda Law Society) raised concern over excessive delays in appeals, citing cases pending for 10-20 years, some of which lose relevance after parties die. He stressed that justice delayed undermines public trust, noting that many inmates in criminal appeals complete their sentences before their appeals are heard.
Mr. Nangulu also appealed for urgent reforms to address case backlog, particularly in Jinja, and asked for reconsideration of a circular that restricts High Court jurisdiction in inter-country adoptions, which forces families to travel to the Family Division in Kampala.
In his remarks, Mr. Steven Masika(Spokesperson, Bamasaba Cultural Institution) underscored the value of ADR, noting that his institution successfully used mediation to resolve leadership disputes.
He cautioned lawyers against carrying disputes into public forums and appealed for court intervention to restrain parties from undermining established cultural leadership structures in his Institution, warning that failure to do so could fuel community conflict.
The meeting was attended by judicial officers at different court levels, as well as stakeholders from the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, advocates, law students, district leaders, and religious leaders among others.
Notably present were HW Rukundo Allen Owembabazi (Registrar, Court of Appeal), HW Dr. Alex Mushabe Karocho(Private Legal Secretary to the DCJ), HW Naluyima Rania (Assistant Registrar),HW Awidi Suzan (Chief Magistrate, Mbale), and HW Mwesigye Julius (Personal Assistant to the DCJ), among others.
The meeting was moderated by HW Waninda Fred K.B (Deputy Registrar, Mbale High Court).
Posted 8th, September 2025
