The High Court Land Division has introduced a “Mediation Settlement Fortnight” aimed at fast-tracking the resolution of land disputes and easing pressure on an already congested case backlog.
High Court Judge Justine Atukwase unveiled the initiative on behalf of the Land Division, announcing that mediation sessions will run from June 29 to July 10, during which all pending land cases will be scheduled for alternative dispute resolution.
Members of the public have also been encouraged to report land-related disputes for inclusion in the process.
Speaking on the judiciary programme on Salam TV hosted by Businge Mariam, Atukwase said the initiative targets cases involving trespass, ownership disputes, and defective land titles.
She illustrated the complexity of such matters using a sample case drawn from 261 files before the court.
“The plaintiff sues for trespass and seeks recovery of the land, a declaration that he owns it, compensation for losses, cancellation of the defendant’s faulty title, and an order forcing the defendant to transfer ownership properly,” she explained.
Atukwase also highlighted several challenges slowing down the disposal of land cases at the division, including litigants delegating matters entirely to lawyers without personal involvement, limited public awareness about mediation, delays in advocacy processes, and what she described as “pride” that often obstructs settlements.
She urged parties in land disputes to attend mediation sessions in person to allow direct engagement, faster resolutions, and reduced tension in contested land ownership and resettlement matters.
The judiciary says the initiative is intended to decongest the Land Division registry and promote quicker, mutually agreed settlements outside prolonged court battles.
