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Judiciary targets resolving 500 land cases by mediation to cut backlog
According to the head of the High Court Land Division, Justice Damali Lwanga, the mediation fortnight was informed by the rising number of mediation cases being registered and successfully completed at the division.
The exercise, scheduled to run from today, June 22, to July 3, 2026, will focus on settling land-related disputes through mediation. (File photo)
By: Farooq Kasule, Journalist @New Vision
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The Land Division of the High Court will embark on a two-week mediation drive aimed at resolving close to 500 land disputes as the Judiciary intensifies efforts to reduce the growing case backlog.
The exercise, scheduled to run from today, June 22, to July 3, 2026, will focus on settling land-related disputes through mediation, one of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms that the Judiciary has increasingly promoted as a faster and less confrontational way of dispensing justice.
According to the head of the High Court Land Division, Justice Damali Lwanga, the mediation fortnight was informed by the rising number of mediation cases being registered and successfully completed at the division.
“The above increase in the registration of mediation causes and also in their completion rates, coupled with the 477 pending causes, has informed our decision and hope for a successful Settlement Fortnight that we are planning to hold,” Justice Lwanga said on Friday during a roundtable discussion with stakeholders ahead of the exercise.
She noted that although the operationalisation of the Entebbe and Wakiso High Court Circuits reduced some of the workload previously handled by the Land Division, the division still grapples with a heavy caseload.
“The Land Division handles land-related disputes that fall within Kampala and some parts of Wakiso District. The workload reduced when the Entebbe and Wakiso High Court Circuits were operationalised, but the Division still has a lot of work,” she said.
Justice Lwanga revealed that at the start of the 2025/2026 financial year, the division carried forward 8,930 land matters from the previous financial year, of which 243 were earmarked for mediation.
Since the beginning of the current financial year, 3,692 new cases have been filed, with 655 referred to mediation.
She added that the division currently has 7,051 pending cases, including 477 mediation causes expected to be prioritised during the settlement fortnight.
She noted that although the operationalisation of the Entebbe and Wakiso High Court Circuits reduced some of the workload previously handled by the Land Division, the division still grapples with a heavy caseload.
“The Land Division handles land-related disputes that fall within Kampala and some parts of Wakiso District. The workload reduced when the Entebbe and Wakiso High Court Circuits were operationalised, but the Division still has a lot of work,” she said.
Justice Lwanga revealed that at the start of the 2025/2026 financial year, the division carried forward 8,930 land matters from the previous financial year, of which 243 were earmarked for mediation.
Since the beginning of the current financial year, 3,692 new cases have been filed, with 655 referred to mediation.
She added that the division currently has 7,051 pending cases, including 477 mediation causes expected to be prioritised during the settlement fortnight.
The Judiciary’s national case backlog currently stands at 46,542 cases.
Supreme Court Justice Mike Chibita described land conflicts as some of the most sensitive disputes in society because they directly affect livelihoods, investments, families and social harmony.
“Many of these disputes are deeply emotional and, if not handled carefully, can escalate into prolonged conflict and violence. It is, therefore, important that the justice system adopts approaches that are not only legally sound, but also practical, restorative, and capable of preserving relationships where possible,” Justice Chibita said.
The Principal Judge, Jane Frances Abodo, said mediation was particularly suitable for land disputes because such cases often involve family and community relationships that can easily deteriorate if litigation drags on.
“Land disputes, just like Justice Chibita has said, are suited for mediation because they greatly involve family relationships, community ties, historical claims, and economic livelihoods. So many of these cases do not need to drag in the system for so long. They have effects, which are not good for all of us,” Abodo said.
The Judiciary has in recent years increasingly embraced mediation and other ADR mechanisms as part of broader reforms aimed at reducing case backlog and speeding up access to justice.
Supreme Court Justice Mike Chibita described land conflicts as some of the most sensitive disputes in society because they directly affect livelihoods, investments, families and social harmony.
“Many of these disputes are deeply emotional and, if not handled carefully, can escalate into prolonged conflict and violence. It is, therefore, important that the justice system adopts approaches that are not only legally sound, but also practical, restorative, and capable of preserving relationships where possible,” Justice Chibita said.
The Principal Judge, Jane Frances Abodo, said mediation was particularly suitable for land disputes because such cases often involve family and community relationships that can easily deteriorate if litigation drags on.
“Land disputes, just like Justice Chibita has said, are suited for mediation because they greatly involve family relationships, community ties, historical claims, and economic livelihoods. So many of these cases do not need to drag in the system for so long. They have effects, which are not good for all of us,” Abodo said.
The Judiciary has in recent years increasingly embraced mediation and other ADR mechanisms as part of broader reforms aimed at reducing case backlog and speeding up access to justice.