News
Owiny-Dollo hands over Africa ADR forum leadership to Zambian chief justice
Speaking during the ceremony, Malila expressed gratitude to Owiny-Dollo for playing a pivotal role in establishing the forum and steering it since its formation in 2024.
Ex-Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo greeting the Chief Justice of Zambia Dr Mumba Malila during the hand over ceremony on June 15, 2026. (Courtesy photo)
By: Farooq Kasule, Journalist @New Vision
_______________
Former Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has handed over leadership of the Africa Chief Justices Forum on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ACJADRF) to Zambia's Chief Justice, Dr Mumba Malila.
The handover ceremony took place at the Supreme Court boardroom on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Speaking during the ceremony, Malila expressed gratitude to Owiny-Dollo for playing a pivotal role in establishing the forum and steering it since its formation in 2024.
“Hadn’t it been for the March 2024 summit organised by the Ugandan judiciary, we wouldn’t be talking about the forum. We therefore thank the leadership of the Judiciary of Uganda at the time led by Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo for coming up with this idea,” Malila said.
He also commended Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija for agreeing to continue hosting the forum's secretariat.
Malila underscored the importance of promoting and utilising Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in the administration of justice, noting that they are not only faster and less costly but also help restore harmony and peace in society.
“It is important for us as African judiciaries to look at ADR not as a luxury but as a necessity,” Malila said.
He emphasised that ADR offers a practical solution to the growing challenges facing judicial systems across the continent and urged African judiciaries to invest more in its development.
“Our systems of justice in most African countries are in a terrible state of disrepute, and principally because of delays that have characterised conclusion of cases. The population has grown, and the disputes have become the order of the day. Judiciaries have not expanded at the same rate and population and the level of disputes. So, what we have, although many judiciaries are trying to resolve the issue of clogged courts through the employment of more judges, that effort has not resolved the problems we have,” Malila noted.
He also commended Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija for agreeing to continue hosting the forum's secretariat.
Dr Mumba Malila, the Chief justice of Zambia addressing the press after receiving office. (Courtesy photo)
Malila underscored the importance of promoting and utilising Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in the administration of justice, noting that they are not only faster and less costly but also help restore harmony and peace in society.
“It is important for us as African judiciaries to look at ADR not as a luxury but as a necessity,” Malila said.
He emphasised that ADR offers a practical solution to the growing challenges facing judicial systems across the continent and urged African judiciaries to invest more in its development.
“Our systems of justice in most African countries are in a terrible state of disrepute, and principally because of delays that have characterised conclusion of cases. The population has grown, and the disputes have become the order of the day. Judiciaries have not expanded at the same rate and population and the level of disputes. So, what we have, although many judiciaries are trying to resolve the issue of clogged courts through the employment of more judges, that effort has not resolved the problems we have,” Malila noted.
Malila observed that ADR mechanisms had long been used and proven effective in resolving disputes.
He pointed out that ADR is not about producing winners and losers, but about achieving outcomes that benefit all parties involved.
“All parties walk away feeling that they have benefited from the settlement, and that is what we want to do because that way, you create peace and harmony,” Malila said.
“ADR tries to target the satisfaction of both parties,” Malila said.
He pledged to ensure that the forum achieves its objectives during his tenure.
Owiny-Dollo said he was confident Malila would take the forum to greater heights, having been part of the team that helped establish it.
“I am sure he will raise the forum to greater heights,” Owiny-Dollo said.
Using the example of the United States, where more than 90% of civil cases are resolved through ADR, Owiny-Dollo said the mechanism is no longer optional for Uganda's justice system.
“The difference they have is that they have developed rules which the mediators follow. When we develop this, we will follow the trend,” Owiny-Dollo said.
Chief Justice Zeija said the judiciary had resolved to institutionalise ADR within the administration of justice as a means of fostering harmony in society.
Zeija noted that while courts determine disputes, ADR focuses on resolving them, making it an important complement to the formal justice system.
He pointed out that ADR is not about producing winners and losers, but about achieving outcomes that benefit all parties involved.
“All parties walk away feeling that they have benefited from the settlement, and that is what we want to do because that way, you create peace and harmony,” Malila said.
“ADR tries to target the satisfaction of both parties,” Malila said.
He pledged to ensure that the forum achieves its objectives during his tenure.
Owiny-Dollo said he was confident Malila would take the forum to greater heights, having been part of the team that helped establish it.
“I am sure he will raise the forum to greater heights,” Owiny-Dollo said.
Using the example of the United States, where more than 90% of civil cases are resolved through ADR, Owiny-Dollo said the mechanism is no longer optional for Uganda's justice system.
“The difference they have is that they have developed rules which the mediators follow. When we develop this, we will follow the trend,” Owiny-Dollo said.
Chief Justice Zeija said the judiciary had resolved to institutionalise ADR within the administration of justice as a means of fostering harmony in society.
Zeija noted that while courts determine disputes, ADR focuses on resolving them, making it an important complement to the formal justice system.