The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has called on Bar Course students to make Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) a cornerstone of modern legal practice, stressing that effective lawyering should focus on resolving disputes efficiently rather than prolonging courtroom battles.
Speaking as a guest lecturer at the Law Development Centre (LDC) in Kampala on Thursday, Lady Justice Abodo encouraged the next generation of advocates to rethink the traditional adversarial approach to litigation and instead prioritize solutions that meet clients’ real needs.
Addressing a packed lecture hall at the LDC campus on Makerere Hill Road, she noted that clients primarily seek timely, affordable, and conclusive resolutions.
“ADR should be your strategic lawyering, not full litigation,” she told the students. “Always ask yourselves what the client truly wants. Most clients want speed, cost efficiency, and closure — not endless court battles.”
She reminded the students that lawyers are fundamentally problem solvers, responsible for guiding disputing parties toward workable solutions rather than escalating conflicts through prolonged litigation.
Lady Justice Abodo also urged students to explore the growing opportunities within the ADR field, highlighting that the Judiciary and its justice-sector partners are increasingly investing in training in arbitration, mediation, negotiation, and other dispute resolution mechanisms.
Reflecting on the significance of the LDC, she described it as an institution of deep meaning for both the Judiciary and the country.
“The Law Development Centre is where many of our legal journeys begin. Coming here always speaks to my heart, and I felt compelled to share with you on this timely and important topic,” she said.
Although ADR is often seen as a modern innovation, Lady Justice Abodo emphasized that its roots are deeply embedded in Africa’s traditional justice systems. Communities long relied on clan elders, mediators, and communal dialogue to settle disputes while preserving social harmony.
“ADR is therefore not foreign to us,” she said. “It reflects the traditional African way of resolving conflict, through dialogue, mediation, and consensus.”
She cautioned that justice systems burdened by prolonged delays risk losing public confidence. When disputes take years, or even decades, to resolve, communities may resort to informal or unlawful methods of seeking justice.
Highlighting the adverse effects of adversarial litigation, she noted that prolonged court battles often entrench hostility between parties and damage commercial, family, and community relationships. In contrast, ADR promotes dialogue and compromise, enabling parties to reach mutually beneficial outcomes while preserving relationships.
Prolonged litigation also imposes a heavy financial burden on litigants through legal fees, transport costs, and time lost attending court sessions, making justice inaccessible for many citizens. Beyond individual disputes, unresolved commercial conflicts can discourage investment and slow economic growth.
“A strong ADR system signals that Uganda is open for business,” Lady Justice Abodo said. “It assures investors that disputes will be resolved quickly, fairly, and efficiently.”
She outlined several ADR mechanisms currently utilized in Uganda, including arbitration, a private and binding process governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, mediation, where a neutral facilitator helps parties dialogue, and reconciliation, recognized under Article 126 of the Constitution.
