Retired judicial officers urged to embrace ADR

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Deputy Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija has urged retiring judicial officers to embrace and promote alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms for the public to continue benefitting from their legal expertise.

ADR mechanisms include mediation, conciliation and arbitration. Choking on a huge case backlog, the Judiciary has since embarked on the process of formalising ADR mechanisms in the administration of justice.

Zeija made the call while presiding over the dinner to honour the retiring Judiciary staff at the Supreme Court conference hall on December 17, 2025.

They included his predecessor, Richard Buteera, High Court judge Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya and Henrietta Wolayo.

“We thank you for your contribution to the administration of justice. Retirement is not the end of the world. I encourage you to take advantage of ADR mechanisms to continue serving our people,” Zeija said.

Motivating the Judiciary staff on embracing retirement, Zeija said it starts from the first day of employment.

“Many of our colleagues have died before clocking retirement age. Justice Rubby Opio Aweri and Stella Arach Amoko died a year before their retirement. You should, therefore, thank God that you have served until your retirement,” Zeija said.

DCJ Flavian Zeija, PJ Jane Frances Abodo and PS Pius Bigirimana cutting the cake with the retired judicial officers at the Supreme Court hall on Tuesday. (Photo by Farooq Kasule)

A legacy everywhere

Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo thanked the retired judicial officers for rendering decisions that have shaped life, communities and the nation.

“Your legacy is not only written in legal reports but everywhere. I therefore wish you a successful retirement,” Abodo said.

Abodo also thanked the retired support staff for keeping the wheels of justice turning over the years.

“Without you, justice would have remained an idea. We therefore thank you for your immense support in the administration of justice,” Abodo said.

Pius Bigirimana, the judiciary PS, handing over a certificate of recognition to a retiring judiciary support staffer at the Supreme Court conference hall on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. (Photo by Farooq Kasule)

Judiciary permanent secretary Dr Pius Bigirimana thanked the retired Judiciary staff for their contribution to the country, especially in the administration of justice.

Bigirimana, however, appealed to the Judiciary staff to invest in their retirement to enjoy it. 

“We are going to give some cash to start life in retirement,” Bigirimana said.

Citing several developments that have been spearheaded by him even since he was posted to the judiciary, such as the construction of the Appellate court building, rolling out the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), and the ongoing construction of the regional Appellate courts in Mbarara and Gulu, Bigirimana promised a better working environment in the judiciary.

Speaking on behalf of the retired judicial officers, Buteera commended the Judiciary for the culture of recognising its retired staff.

“I thank the top management of the judiciary for this event. It means a lot to us who are retiring,” Buteera said.

Using an example of when his vehicle got a mechanical problem in Bukuya, Mubende district and he was helped by a litigant in whose favour he had delivered a judgment, Buteera said he has retired a very happy man.