Chief Justice urges advocates to embrace alternative dispute resolution

KAMPALA - Uganda's Chief Justice, Dr Flavian Zeija, has urged advocates to embrace alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms to strengthen access to justice.

ADR involves resolving legal disputes outside of court, such as mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and negotiation.

“Advocates, as members of the bar [legal fraternity], you are the gatekeepers of justice. When you embrace ADR, you do not weaken litigation; you strengthen justice. I, therefore, implore you to embrace ADR,” Zeija urged during a one-day training on ADR mechanisms as a justice access tool at the Supreme Court in Kampala on Wednesday (May 6).

He said advocates must evolve from being warriors in the courtrooms to being architects of resolution of disputes.

“The best advocate is not the one who wins at all costs, but one who resolves at the least cost."

'Appropriate first step'

Commending the Judicial Training Institute for organising the training, Zeija acknowledged that the Judiciary stands at a crossroads because it is struggling to keep pace with the velocity of modern finance.

“My learned friends, the advocates, do not fear that ADR will diminish your fees. A client who recovers their capital in 60 days through mediation is a repeat client. A client whose business collapses during a three-year trial is a lost client. Professionalism in 2026 will be defined by problem-solving skills, not just brief-filing,” he said.

“When billions in credit facilities are frozen in the courts, the cost of borrowing for the average Ugandan rises. That is why advocates must transform from gatekeepers of litigation into engineers of economic liquidity."

Seated (L-R):Justice Richard Buteera, Deputy CJ emeritus, Justice Mike Chibita, Chairperson, Governing Council ,JTI , Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, Justice Prof.Andrew Khaukha, Executive director JTI, Francis Atoke, Solicitor General Emeritus and Dr. Onoria, Head Law Consulting & Knowledge Practice, ALP Advocates in a group photo with some of the lawyers attending the ADR training on the new mediation rules at Supreme Court in Kampala on Wednesday 6th May 2026. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

The Chief Justice ​noted that delayed resolution of disputes chokes liquidity, hurts borrowers and erodes trust in the financial system.

“Therefore, ADR is no longer an alternative. For financial disputes, it must become the appropriate first step."

The Judiciary has embarked on integrating alternative justice systems (AJS), which blend modern legal standards with traditional methods to make justice more meaningful to ordinary people.

“We must break the colonial mould of justice. Our AJS policy recognises that in many credit disputes, especially in our rural communities, a mutual resolution brokered by a respected community leader or a religious elder carries more social legitimacy than a cold court order,” said Zeija.

AJS allows for restorative justice — where a debtor’s dignity is preserved while a creditor’s capital is recovered.

“This approach is not just cost-effective, it preserves the social harmony often destroyed by adversarial litigation,” explained the CJ.

In a bid to unlock billions of shillings locked up in banking disputes, the Judiciary plans to host a Mediation Settlement Fortnight on May 18-28 at the commercial division of the High Court.

“I urge you to use this training to prepare your clients to engage in this special operation for economic recovery and dispute resolution. Let us work together to free up our capital and ensure that justice is delivered not just fairly, but swiftly,” urged Zeija.

Justice Mike Chibita of the Supreme Court, who is also the chairperson of the Judicial  Training Institute, said ADR will go a long way in helping the Judiciary to overcome case backlog.  

The  Judiciary is facing a severe case backlog crisis, with over 167,000 cases pending across various courts.