Uganda Judiciary Expands ADR to Ease Commercial Dispute Backlog

Uganda’s Judiciary plans to extend Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms beyond the Commercial Division to manage the surge in commercial disputes straining the court system.

Speaking at a two-day workshop for judges on commercial dispute resolution at Serena Kigo, Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo revealed that courts across the Land, Family, Civil, Commercial Divisions, and Industrial Court face 70,631 pending cases with only 30 judges. This creates a daunting ratio of over 2,300 cases per judge.

Abodo emphasized that commercial disputes often stem from broken relationships and trust between parties who once collaborated, requiring more than adversarial court battles. She promoted ADR, particularly mediation, as a comprehensive solution fostering dialogue to resolve underlying issues and achieve lasting settlements.

The Principal Judge announced proposals to allocate specific periods for ADR in banking and financial disputes, aiming to cut backlogs and enhance justice delivery. She urged judges to champion court-annexed mediation and amicable resolutions without undermining judicial authority.

Focal Judge for ADR, Justice Andrew Khaukha, confirmed ongoing efforts to integrate ADR system-wide, citing the National ADR Policy approved in February 2025, which mandates its adoption in government institutions.

The workshop ended with a commitment from the Judiciary and stakeholders to boost ADR usage, reduce delays, and bolster public trust in the justice system.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)