JUDICIARY Latest Features

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Registry has successfully concluded a two-day regional activation across Eastern Uganda, engaging more than 70 court-accredited mediators, judicial officers and justice sector stakeholders in a renewed drive to strengthen court-annexed mediation and expand access to justice.

The exercise, coordinated by the Registrar of the ADR Registry, HW Justine Atukwasa, with support from HW Godfrey Kaweesa, Deputy Registrar; Dr Daniel Lubowa, Assistant Registrar; and HW Daniel Bwambale, Senior Principal Magistrate. They covered the High Court Circuits of Mbale, Tororo, Iganga and Jinja. Conducted at the beginning of the 2026/27 Financial Year, the activation forms part of the Judiciary’s nationwide efforts to strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), improve mediation services and enhance the efficiency of justice delivery.

The engagements provided an opportunity for direct interaction between the ADR Registry and mediation practitioners, enabling participants to assess progress, identify operational challenges and agree on practical interventions for improving mediation across the country. The exercise also supported the ongoing verification and digitisation of the National Roll of Court-Accredited Mediators while sensitising participants on recent policy and procedural reforms.

The regional activation commenced at the Mbale High Court, where the ADR Registry met with 20 court-accredited mediators under the leadership of the Focal Judge for the ADR Registry, Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha. Discussions focused on strengthening mediation practice, enhancing institutional support and increasing public confidence in court-annexed mediation.

During the meeting, Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus Richard Buteera called for greater clarity on the allocation of mediators, particularly regarding the extent to which litigants should choose their preferred mediator. He observed that unrestricted choice could limit opportunities for newly accredited mediators to gain practical experience.

Responding to the concerns, Justice Prof. Khaukha reaffirmed that mediation should remain voluntary, explaining that compelling parties to mediate would undermine the fundamental principles upon which the process is founded. He emphasised that judicial officers should instead ensure litigants understand the mediation process and its benefits before making informed decisions. Drawing on the experience of the Commercial Division, he noted that active judicial encouragement of mediation had enabled the disposal of more than 120 cases within one and a half months, unlocking over UGX 4 billion back into the economy.

Participants also highlighted operational challenges affecting mediation, including inadequate office space, limited ICT and printing facilities and difficulties in capturing mediation data. They appealed for improved logistical support and recommended that mediators’ efforts be documented even where mediation does not culminate in a settlement to facilitate performance tracking and accountability.

Justice Prof. Khaukha described mediators as “doctors of conflict management” and encouraged continuous professional development, particularly in emotional intelligence and psychological conflict management.

The activation proceeded to Tororo High Court, where the ADR Registry engaged 14 court-accredited mediators in discussions that reinforced the importance of voluntary mediation, enhanced operational support and closer collaboration between judicial officers and mediators to expand the use of court-annexed mediation.

The largest engagement was held at the Iganga High Court, bringing together judicial officers, court-accredited mediators, advocates and other justice sector stakeholders. Participants observed that mediation continues to gain acceptance in civil matters but identified inadequate office accommodation, limited logistical support and the need to increase the number of active accredited mediators as key challenges. They also recommended sustained public sensitisation through local radio programmes and community outreach to increase awareness and utilisation of mediation services.

The ADR Registry further updated participants on ongoing efforts to strengthen the institutional framework governing court-annexed mediation. Mediators were reminded that accreditation requires successful completion of training through the Judicial Training Institute before appointment by the Chief Justice. The Registry also announced that a fresh accreditation exercise is underway across all High Court Circuits.

Participants were sensitised on the Mediation (Amendment) Rules, 2026, with emphasis placed on accurate mediation data capture through the Court Case Administration System (CCAS) and the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS). The Registry further disclosed that the Judiciary is developing a Code of Conduct for Mediators alongside legislation intended to strengthen the legal framework governing Alternative Dispute Resolution.

The Registry underscored the importance of maintaining an accurate and credible National Roll of Court-Accredited Mediators, explaining that the ongoing verification exercise will establish the active status of mediators within their respective jurisdictions. Trained but unaccredited mediators were encouraged to complete the accreditation process through the ADR Registry to formally join the national roll.

Participants were also briefed on the revised performance-based facilitation framework for mediators and informed that the digitised National Roll will include mediators’ professional profiles and photographs to enhance transparency and accountability. During the exercise, the ADR Registry identified and registered eight trained mediators who had not previously been captured on the National Roll.

The regional activation concluded at the Jinja High Court, bringing to an end an intensive two-day engagement across the four Eastern High Court Circuits. The consultations reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to strengthening court-annexed mediation through improved institutional coordination, enhanced mediator capacity, verification and digitisation of the national register, and implementation of policy reforms aimed at expanding access to justice.

As implementation of the Judiciary’s 2026/27 priorities gathers momentum, the regional activation highlights the ADR Registry’s commitment to promoting affordable, timely and people-centred justice by positioning Alternative Dispute Resolution as an integral pillar of Uganda’s justice system.