KAMPALA– The Chief Justice, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny – Dollo, today presided over a one-day Mediation Training for Western Region mediators, organised by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall in Kampala.
He, underscored mediation as a key driver of Uganda’s quest for fast, inclusive, and culturally grounded justice.
The Chief Justice commended the JTI for spearheading capacity-building efforts and applauded the mediators in attendance for their dedication to serving communities. He emphasized that mediation is far more than a court process, it is rooted in Uganda’s identity and long-standing traditions of dialogue and healing.
“Justice is not only about punishment. Justice is about healing… restoring broken relationships and building sustainable peace,” he said.
The Chief Justice drew from Uganda’s diverse traditional justice systems; from the Acholi _matoput_ ceremony, to Buganda’s harmony-restoration rituals, to Karamoja’s communal compensation practices, noting that these indigenous systems already embody principles of mediation that the Judiciary seeks to formalize within court processes.
He further highlighted the scale of the task ahead, noting that with nearly 190,800 pending cases at the close of the last Financial Year, mediation and other ADR mechanisms offer a practical pathway to reduce backlog, expedite dispute resolution, and improve user satisfaction.
The Chief Justice reminded participants that receiving accreditation as court-appointed mediators comes with responsibility and accountability. He urged them to meet annual mediation thresholds, submit accurate reports, and uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, ethics, and impartiality.
His remarks were followed by a series of training sessions. The Executive Director of JTI, Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, expressed appreciation to the Chief Justice for flagging off the training.
He also extended gratitude to the Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus, Justice Richard Buteera, for leading technical discussions throughout the day.
Justice Khaukha facilitated an interactive mediation quiz on ethical and procedural principles, while Justice Buteera conducted practical sessions on negotiation techniques and simulation exercises. Former Solicitor General, Mr. Francis Atoke, delivered a presentation on the STAR Approach to mediation, which generated further candid engagement among participants.
The day culminated in the awarding of certificates and instruments of appointment as Court-Annexed Mediators, a milestone the Chief Justice described as “an investment in community-based peace building and justice delivery.”
