Over 230 cases resolved in mediation week

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Judiciary has reported significant achievements in mediation and case disposal. According to the judiciary, 847 cases were referred for mediation during the recent Settlement Week, resulting in 237 successful settlements.

According to Zuraika Nanteza,  the Deputy Registrar in charge of  Alternative Dispute Resolution, the Settlement Week focused on resolving disputes related to commercial, land,  Civil and other related disputes.  The mediation week started August 5th up to August 9th 2024.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms are ways of settling disputes amicably without going to courts of law such as by embracing Mediation, arbitration and reconciliation in civil matters and plea bargaining, and Diversion in Juvenile Justice in criminal cases among others.

Before the exercise commenced, a team of mediators was commissioned by the Chief Justice and attached to various courts, including the Land Division, Civil Division and  Commercial Divisions of the High Court, Mukono, Masaka and Gulu  High Court Circuits as well as the Court of Appeal as the participating courts.

Nanteza highlighted the economic benefits of mediation, stating that more than 2 billion shillings were unlocked from the court system and returned to the economy.

She also emphasized the importance of mediation in resolving family disputes, which she explained often last for years and hinder development in families and also affect the children.

Nanteza was addressing the media on Tuesday at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala.

According to Nanteza, the successful mediation cases included completing 11 land cases, 49 at the Court of Appeal, 5 civil cases at the Civil Division of the High Court,35 at the Family Division, 31 at the Commercial Court, 10 in Mukono, 7 in Masaka, and 66 in Makindye Chief Magistrates Court.

She said these cases demonstrate the effectiveness of alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms in resolving a wide range of disputes.

James Jumire Ereemye Mawanda, Judiciary Public Relations Officer, reported on the quarter four performance of the Judiciary. He revealed that 57,735 cases were completed out of 219,573, representing a disposal rate of 29 percent.

Mawanda stated that the highest level of efficiency was recorded at the Magistrates level, with Chief Magistrates disposing of 30,177 cases, followed by Magistrate grade twos at 41.4 percent.

Mawanda attributed the improved performance to increased sensitization, technology usage, good customer care, and increased staffing.  He expressed optimism for further improvement in the next quarter, citing increased support from the government and the public.

In March, African Chief Justices met in Kampala for a full week conference on  Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms and among other issues resolved was that all Judiciaries of African Countries should dedicate a week specifically to resolve cases through mediation.

The Chief Justices resolved that they should Advocate for African Governments to budget and allocate sufficient funds to support the promotion of ADR because it is cheap and cost-effective and to help them deal with case backlog issues.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Norbert Mao has since indicated that the Government finalized a policy to regulate the governance of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms in the country and awaits to be tabled before Parliament for debate.

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