The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its quasi-judicial mandate through a specialized Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) training programme for senior management and legal staff.
The hybrid training session, held at the Uganda Business Facilitation Centre (UBFC) Auditorium in Kampala, brought together leading legal experts and URSB officials to enhance the Bureau’s capacity in handling disputes within its expanding regulatory framework.
The initiative comes at a time when URSB’s role has evolved beyond traditional registration services to become a key player in Uganda’s dispute resolution ecosystem. The Bureau administers more than 20 laws governing business registration, intellectual property, insolvency, receivership, and security interests, areas that increasingly require efficient and legally sound dispute resolution mechanisms.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Registrar General Ms. Mercy K. Kainobwisho emphasized the importance of equipping URSB officers with modern dispute resolution skills.
“ADR gives us better tools to ensure decisions are fair, efficient, and legally sound,” Ms. Kainobwisho said, noting that registrars routinely make determinations with significant legal and commercial implications.
She added that strengthening internal dispute resolution mechanisms will improve service delivery, enhance legal certainty, and boost business confidence in Uganda.
The training featured technical sessions facilitated by Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court Judge Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Dr. Henry Onoria of ALP East Africa, and Ms. Barbara Kilei of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) Uganda. Participants were equipped with practical skills in negotiation, conciliation, mediation, and arbitration within Uganda’s legal framework.
The programme aligns with URSB’s broader strategy of enhancing institutional capacity, strengthening legal processes, and positioning Uganda as an attractive investment destination through efficient dispute resolution systems.
Regional Recognition for URSB’s ADR Agenda
URSB’s efforts in promoting alternative dispute resolution recently received high-level endorsement during a joint courtesy visit by Uganda’s Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, and Zambia’s Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Mumba Malila.
The visit, conducted under the Africa Chief Justices’ ADR Forum, highlighted the growing role of alternative justice systems in promoting access to justice and strengthening regional legal integration.
During their engagement at URSB headquarters in Kololo, the two Chief Justices commended the Bureau for its contribution to advancing ADR. Justice Malila particularly praised ADR for its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ability to promote social harmony.
URSB leadership reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the institution’s quasi-judicial functions and fostering greater regional collaboration in dispute resolution.
Ms. Kainobwisho revealed that URSB successfully resolved 89 disputes during the current financial year, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Bureau’s ADR mechanisms.
As it continues to expand its regulatory mandate, URSB is positioning itself as a modern and efficient institution at the centre of business regulation, legal certainty, and dispute resolution in Uganda.
