The Chief Justice of Uganda, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, has urged African Judiciaries to adopt arbitration and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as key tools for improving access to justice, boosting investor confidence, and enhancing the continent’s global competitiveness.
Speaking at the Africa Chief Justices Arbitration Summit held at Pepperdine University’s Château d’Hauteville campus in Geneva, Justice Owiny-Dollo reminded participants that the idea of creating the Africa Chief Justices Forum on ADR was first conceived in Kampala on March 4, 2024.
That inaugural meeting, which drew Chief Justices from Malawi, Zambia, The Gambia, Kenya, Ghana, and the President of the East African Court of Justice, laid the foundation for the milestones now being celebrated.
He noted that since its inception, the Forum has made significant progress through joint training, benchmarking, and experience sharing—initiatives that have strengthened the capacity of member judiciaries to adopt ADR mechanisms.
The Chief Justice further observed that this ongoing Summit marks the Forum’s second gathering outside Africa, following last year’s successful conference at the same Geneva venue.
Justice Owiny-Dollo encouraged all participants, including those attending virtually, to actively engage in the sessions, describing them as “rich in learning and inspiration.”
He commended Pepperdine University for its continued partnership with the Forum, singling out Senior Vice President Danny DeWalt and the faculty of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution for their contribution to advancing ADR across Africa.
The Chief Justice underscored that arbitration offers neutrality, confidentiality, and the freedom for parties to choose governing laws and arbitrators, while also benefiting from the enforceability of awards under the 1958 New York Convention.
He emphasized that robust arbitration frameworks are vital for building business confidence and positioning African countries as fair and dependable investment destinations.
The week-long Summit, organized by the Africa Chief Justices Forum on ADR, has drawn participants from 25 judiciaries across the continent. The 16-hour hybrid program is focusing on strengthening the legal, regulatory, and administrative frameworks that govern arbitration in Africa.
As part of the Summit’s activities, Uganda’s Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, virtually led a breakout session featuring a simulated arbitration exercise, later presented in plenary.
Judges from Uganda’s Commercial Division participated virtually alongside counterparts from Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Zanzibar.
The Forum’s Chief Justices also held strategic meetings with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the International Olympic Museum in Geneva to benchmark global best practices and explore the creation of an Africa Sports Arbitration Tribunal.
Uganda’s delegation in Geneva includes the Chief Justice, Lady Justice Okuo Jane Kajuga (Acting Principal Judge), Justice Cheborion Barishaki (Justice of the Court of Appeal and the East African Court of Justice), Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha (Executive Director, Judicial Training Institute), and HW Lochomin Peter Fred (Personal Assistant to the Chief Justice).
The virtual delegation, led by the Deputy Chief Justice, comprises Justices Anna Mugenyi Bitature, Susan Abinyo, Patricia Mutesi, Patricia Kahigi Asiimwe, Ocaya Thomas Ojele Rubanga, Rubagumya Tumusiime Patience Emily, Ginamia Melody Ngwatu, and Susan Odongo, as well as HW Lillian Bucyana, HW Dr. Nakibuule Gladys Kisekka, and HW Nasambu Esther Rebecca.
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