By Ezrah kashumbusha.
KAMPALA, March 05, 2024 | Senior members of the judiciary, including Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, celebrated their graduation with Master’s Degrees in Dispute Resolution from the Pepperdine University in California. The graduation ceremony, held at the High Court in Kampala, marked a monumental step in the judiciary’s journey towards incorporating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methodologies into the Ugandan legal system.
Among the graduates were Chief Justice Owiny Dollo, Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, Ministry of Justice Nobert Mao, Supreme Court Justice Mike Chibita, Court of Appeal Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, and other key figures within the judiciary and legal advisory sectors. This group of eleven, part of the judicial high command, represents a broad spectrum of Uganda’s legal framework, indicating a unified approach towards redefining dispute resolution in the country.
The ceremony was more than just a celebration of academic achievement; it served as a catalyst for change within the judiciary. Pius Bigirimana, the Permanent Secretary of the Judiciary, emphasized judiciary’s commitment to integrating ADR into the court system. By pledging to allocate the necessary resources in the upcoming budget, Bigirimana highlighted the judiciary’s dedication to improving the efficiency and accessibility of justice.
The graduation precedes a two-day summit on Alternative Dispute Resolution for African justices, set under the theme “Re-engineering the Administration of Justice on the African Continent.” This summit aims to convene judges, private sector players, members of the bar, academicians, and prosecutors to discuss and refine the role of ADR in the justice system. The event promises to be a ground-breaking platform for sharing insights and strategies on leveraging ADR as a primary mechanism for resolving disputes, thus enhancing the delivery of justice across Africa.
The emphasis on ADR comes at a crucial time when the judiciary is looking to alleviate the burden on the court system by promoting more amicable and efficient resolution methods. By equipping leaders within the judiciary with advanced skills in dispute resolution, Uganda is setting a precedent for judicial reform, not just within its borders but across the African continent.
