Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo has strongly criticised lawyers who rush to file cases in court even when the disputes can be easily resolved through mediation or other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. He says the habit has contributed to the staggering 190,000 case backlog currently clogging Uganda’s justice system.
Speaking during the launch of a training programme for court mediators in western Uganda, Chief Justice Dollo warned that unnecessary litigation not only wastes court time but also denies Ugandans timely justice.
“Many of the cases that end up in our courts can be resolved outside the courtroom,” Dollo said. “We must encourage Ugandans to embrace mediation and ensure that those trained to guide the process uphold transparency and integrity.”
The Judiciary has intensified its push for mediation, rolling out major training programmes aimed at reducing delays in the justice system.
The initiative comes at a time when courts across the country are overwhelmed by more than 190,000 pending cases, some of which have dragged on for years.
Prof. Andrew Khaukha, the Head of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), condemned lawyers who deliberately file mediable cases in court for personal gain.
“We have lawyers who are quick to file cases simply to make money or for other motives,” Khaukha said. “These are matters that can be settled through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.”
Khaukha revealed that the Judiciary has so far trained 550 mediators, but the target is 2,000, in a bid to ease the burden on courts and save taxpayers’ money.
Former Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera cautioned mediators against corruption and malpractice, warning that any mediator found mishandling cases risks criminal charges.
“Mediators must carry out their duties with integrity and independence,” Buteera said. “If you mishandle the process or compromise justice, the law will catch up with you.”
A recent survey by the Judiciary shows that 90% of Ugandans already resolve non-criminal disputes through negotiation, while the remaining 10% who pursue litigation often wait years without receiving justice.
As part of the ongoing reforms, the Judiciary will this week begin training judges from western Uganda on how to handle cases involving human rights violations.