Mbarara – The Acting Principal Judge, Lady Justice Okuo Jane Kajuga, has officially opened a regional capacity-building training for judicial officers from the Western Region on Case Management, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and Judgment Writing.
The one-week training, held at Las Vegas Hotel in Mbarara, has drawn more than 50 Judicial Officers; ranging from Judges, Deputy Registrars, Chief Magistrates, to Magistrates Grade One, and is jointly supported by the Judiciary and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).
In her address, Justice Kajuga urged participants to approach the training with a strategic mindset aimed at enhancing both the efficiency and quality of justice delivery. She acknowledged the Judiciary’s internal case census which shows the heaviest workloads are in the High Court and Chief Magistrates’ Courts and expressed concern over the low mediation rates in some courts and failure rates as high as 70 percent in others. She challenged Officers to reflect deeply on their work, asking whether the issue was one of skills, mindset, or both. Justice Kajuga encouraged proactive identification of cases suitable for mediation and collaboration with accredited mediators, citing a recent success where 43 out of 80 identified cases were resolved, including three through consent.
She referenced a similar training previously held in the Acholi region, which resulted in a highly successful settlement week, and called on judicial officers to allocate dedicated calendar days for mediation.
Justice Andrew Khaukha, Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), emphasized that the training is part of the Judiciary’s Results and Impact Initiative (RRI), designed to close specific performance gaps identified through field data and research. He explained that all JTI trainings are now evidence-based, need-driven, and aligned with performance targets. He also expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, Principal Judge, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, and IDLO for their continued support and partnership.
Ms. Barbara Kilei, IDLO Country Director, who delivered her remarks virtually, reaffirmed IDLO’s commitment to supporting the Judiciary in people-centred justice reforms, continuous learning, and improved ADR practices. She noted that the training provides space for peer learning and networking, and urged judicial officers to first understand their current position and then use data to improve justice systems.
The Head Mbarara High Court Circuit, Justice Nshimye Allan Paul Mbabazi, welcomed the training as timely and relevant. He said it would enhance access to justice and the quality of service delivered to court users, and encouraged full participation.
In remarks delivered on behalf of the Acting Chief Registrar, HW Lillian Bucyana, Acting Registrar at JTI, highlighted the need for proactive case management and early resolution through ADR to address the Judiciary’s current backlog of over 167,000 cases. She also emphasized that judgment writing requires structure, clarity, and reasoned analysis, noting that a well-written judgment is essential for public confidence and judicial accountability. She further urged
Judicial officers to uphold standards in record and exhibit management and align their work with the Judiciary’s ongoing transformation agenda.
The opening ceremony was attended by key figures in the justice sector, including Justice Richard Buteera (Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus), Justice Yorokamu Bamwine (Principal Judge Emeritus), Justice David Wangutusi (Retired Judge), Mr. Francis Atoke (Retired Solicitor General), and Mr. Francis Gimara (Senior Counsel and former President of the Uganda Law Society). Ms. Barbara Kilei and Mr. Gimara participated virtually. Also in attendance were staff from JTI, the ADR Registry, and other stakeholders
Judicial officers Regional Capacity Building workshop kicks off in Western Uganda
Mbarara – The Acting Principal Judge, Lady Justice Okuo Jane Kajuga, has officially opened a regional capacity-building training for judicial officers from the Western Region on Case Management, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and Judgment Writing.
The one-week training, held at Las Vegas Hotel in Mbarara, has drawn more than 50 Judicial Officers; ranging from Judges, Deputy Registrars, Chief Magistrates, to Magistrates Grade One, and is jointly supported by the Judiciary and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).
In her address, Justice Kajuga urged participants to approach the training with a strategic mindset aimed at enhancing both the efficiency and quality of justice delivery. She acknowledged the Judiciary’s internal case census which shows the heaviest workloads are in the High Court and Chief Magistrates’ Courts and expressed concern over the low mediation rates in some courts and failure rates as high as 70 percent in others. She challenged Officers to reflect deeply on their work, asking whether the issue was one of skills, mindset, or both. Justice Kajuga encouraged proactive identification of cases suitable for mediation and collaboration with accredited mediators, citing a recent success where 43 out of 80 identified cases were resolved, including three through consent.
She referenced a similar training previously held in the Acholi region, which resulted in a highly successful settlement week, and called on judicial officers to allocate dedicated calendar days for mediation.
Justice Andrew Khaukha, Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), emphasized that the training is part of the Judiciary’s Results and Impact Initiative (RRI), designed to close specific performance gaps identified through field data and research. He explained that all JTI trainings are now evidence-based, need-driven, and aligned with performance targets. He also expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, Principal Judge, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary, and IDLO for their continued support and partnership.
Ms. Barbara Kilei, IDLO Country Director, who delivered her remarks virtually, reaffirmed IDLO’s commitment to supporting the Judiciary in people-centred justice reforms, continuous learning, and improved ADR practices. She noted that the training provides space for peer learning and networking, and urged judicial officers to first understand their current position and then use data to improve justice systems.
The Head Mbarara High Court Circuit, Justice Nshimye Allan Paul
Mbabazi, welcomed the training as timely and relevant. He said it would enhance access to justice and the quality of service delivered to court users, and encouraged full participation.
In remarks delivered on behalf of the Acting Chief Registrar, HW Lillian Bucyana, Acting Registrar at JTI, highlighted the need for proactive case management and early resolution through ADR to address the Judiciary’s current backlog of over 167,000 cases. She also emphasized that judgment writing requires structure, clarity, and reasoned analysis, noting that a well-written judgment is essential for public confidence and judicial accountability. She further urged
Judicial officers to uphold standards in record and exhibit management and align their work with the Judiciary’s ongoing transformation agenda.
The opening ceremony was attended by key figures in the justice sector, including Justice Richard Buteera (Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus), Justice Yorokamu Bamwine (Principal Judge Emeritus), Justice David Wangutusi (Retired Judge), Mr. Francis Atoke (Retired Solicitor General), and Mr. Francis Gimara (Senior Counsel and former President of the Uganda Law Society). Ms. Barbara Kilei and Mr. Gimara participated virtually. Also in attendance were staff from JTI, the ADR Registry, and other stakeholders
