The Commercial Division of the High Court is set to handle 520 trade, construction and corporate disputes valued at more than Shs325 billion during a mediation settlement fortnight aimed at encouraging parties to resolve cases outside conventional litigation.
The two-week exercise, scheduled for August 17 to 28, 2026, is expected to bring together litigants, lawyers, mediators, businesses and government institutions to seek settlements in commercial disputes.
The initiative was announced during a Commercial Court Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Users’ Roundtable on Trade, Construction and Corporations Disputes held at the Supreme Court Conference Hall in Kampala on Tuesday.
The half-day engagement was organised by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) in collaboration with the ADR Registry and brought together judicial officers, advocates, mediators, government officials, business leaders, engineers and other users of the Commercial Court.
The meeting sought to identify and address challenges that hinder successful mediation of commercial disputes.
The roundtable was chaired by the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, and later assisted by Justice Ocaya Thomas Ojele Rubanga of the Commercial Division. It was moderated by the Judiciary’s Registrar for Public Relations, Mr James Ereemye Jumire Mawanda.
Among those in attendance were Principal Judge Emeritus Justice Yorokamu Bamwine, Lady Justice Linda Lillian Tumusiime Mugisha, judges of the Commercial Division, judicial officers from JTI and the ADR Registry, and Dr Eng. Christopher Ebal.
Officially opening the meeting, Deputy Chief Justice Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi said ADR was central to building a justice system that is accessible, timely, effective and responsive to Uganda’s social and economic needs.
He commended JTI, the Commercial Division, the ADR Registry and other stakeholders for organising the engagement, saying the Judiciary should not only resolve disputes but also anticipate emerging challenges and innovate in the delivery of justice.
Justice Kazibwe said commercial justice was critical to economic development because unresolved disputes can tie up capital, increase project costs, damage business relationships and undermine investor confidence.
He said while litigation remained important for cases requiring definitive judicial decisions, legal precedent and protection of rights, modern justice systems should provide parties with several avenues for resolving disputes, including mediation, arbitration, negotiation and conciliation.
“Justice is not achieved when a judgment is entered. Justice is also achieved when parties reach a fair, timely and sustainable resolution that allows them to continue contributing to society and the economy,” Justice Kazibwe said.
He emphasised that ADR should not be viewed as a replacement for the conventional court system, but rather as an alternative mechanism through which disputes can be resolved depending on their circumstances.
The Deputy Chief Justice urged advocates to advise their clients not only on their legal rights but also on commercially sensible ways of resolving disputes.
He also called on mediators to uphold professionalism, integrity and competence, while encouraging businesses and contracting parties to focus on dispute prevention, early engagement and good-faith negotiations.
Government institutions, he said, should strengthen contract management and dispute-resolution mechanisms to minimise prolonged commercial disputes.
Justice Kazibwe said the forthcoming mediation settlement fortnight would provide an opportunity for the Judiciary, advocates, mediators, businesses and government institutions to identify barriers to settlement and develop practical solutions.
Mediation in matters where there remains a reasonable prospect of settlement may continue for up to 60 days, according to the Judiciary.
