Commercial Division Mediators Chart New Measures to Strengthen Mediation Services
Mediators at the Commercial Divisionon Monday met for their quarterly review meeting, which coincided with thestart of the Quarter Two Mediation Settlement Fortnight for FY 2025/2026. Theengagement focused on strengthening the efficiency, responsiveness, and overalleffectiveness of the Division’s mediation function.
Lady Justice Anna B. Mugenyi, Headof the Commercial Division and a court-accredited mediator, emphasized that themeeting sought to deepen the Division's commitment to timely and effectivedispute resolution. She noted that all Judges of the Division are trained inAlternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and formally accredited as mediators.
Justice Mugenyi highlighted theDivision's new directive requiring all litigants to file mediation casesummaries alongside their pleadings at the point of instituting a suit. Sheexplained that this innovation is expected to ease backlog by facilitatingfaster screening and early mediation before cases proceed to adjudication. Shefurther explained that the Division continues to observe quarterly SettlementFortnights and has maintained Thursdays as dedicated mediation days, both ofwhich have significantly improved mediation outcomes.
She reminded mediators that theDivision is now required to submit quarterly mediation reports, underscoringthe need for consistency, accuracy, and diligence in case handling.
Presenting the performance report,Deputy Registrar in-charge of the Division, HW Chemeri Jessica, stated that asat 30 September 2025, 208 cases were pending before the 16 active mediators atthe Division. In the first quarter of FY 2025/2026 alone, 247 mediation caseswere completed. She outlined persistent challenges including non-attendance byparties, delayed responses, enforcement limitations, inadequate publicawareness, and questions relating to case suitability.
Despite the challenges, HW Chemeriapplauded several best practices that continue to enhance servicedelivery-among them the increased number of mediators, the observance of in-houseSettlement Fortnights in May, August, and the ongoing November round, thecontinued Thursday mediation sessions, and the requirement for mediationsummaries at filing.
The meeting also observed thatmultiple mediation causes were being filed and agreed on the need to clean upthe system and guide lawyers to correct errors at the point of filing.Mediators were further reminded of the Division’s annual target of 810completed cases, reinforcing the importance of timely processing and commitmentto ADR interventions.
To support these efforts, themediators resolved to intensify public sensitisation, particularly through thequarterly Settlement Fortnights and the weekly Thursday mediation schedule.
The meeting was attended bymediators including Justice Thomas Ocaya, Lady Justice Patience Rubagumya, LadyJustice Dr. Melody Ginamia Ngwatu, Mr. Keneth Barungi, Hon. Eragu VeronicaBichetero, and Mr. George Bamugemereire.
Also present were HW Dr. AgnesNkonge, Deputy Registrar in charge of Mediation; HW Mayanja Philip Mukasa,Magistrate Grade I Research; and staff from the Commercial Court MediationRegistry.
Posted 17th, November 2025
