The Judiciary has embarked on a weeklong case settlement across the country in which several pending cases will be mediated and resolved in a bid to reduce the current case backlog.
At Mengo Chief Magistrate, a total of 79 pending listed cases are expected to be resolved, and about eight trained mediators have been appointed to manage the mediation by guiding both parties involved to mutually settle their cases and accept the resolution.
The mediators are composed of three court-accredited professionals, including Namyalo Florence, Namuleme Sylvia, and Nakyeyune Christine.
Others are four advocates, including Nandudu Phoebe, Nambozo Ritah, Nakazibwe Grace, Birungi Bruno, and Babirye Ritah Nampala.
Each mediator will handle an equal share of the cases to prevent bias in the house.
The Senior Principal Magistrate under Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Daniel Bwambale, earlier met and interacted with the mediators and assured them about the presence of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) registry.
On Tuesday, Makindye Chief Magistrate Court kicked off the mediation week with 450 listed cases to be resolved, and some 20 cases were successfully handled and completed by the Chief Magistrate, HW Sarah Basemera, on the first day.
Participating judicial officers include HW Adikin Esther (CM), HW Igga Adiru, HW Elisha Arinaitwe, HW Patience Lorna Tukundane, and HW Opio Charles Kangira. Accredited mediators include Ms. Nakabuubi Irene, Mr. Juko Nathan Kimbugwe, Dr. Nalwebe Sarah Margery Mujabi, Dr. Nalwebe Abraham Stephen, Dr. Batiibwe Alice Racheal, and Ms. Nampija Ruth (advocate), among others.
In Mukono Municipality, a team of 15 mediators has been appointed to handle 48 cases during the settlement week in Mukono High Court.
Notable among them are HW Anguandia Godfrey Opifeni (Rtd), HW Othieno Christopher (Rtd), Professor Andrew Khaukha, Mr. Anaclet Turyakira, Mr. Benon Tusasirwe, and Mr. George Omunyokol, among others.
The exercise has been allocated six mediation rooms, with the expected peak days being Tuesday and Wednesday. The Assistant Registrar, HW Ijang Maureen Eunice, said that they were ready and a secretariat of court clerks and secretaries had been set up to support the settlement week at the court.
At the Commercial Court, at least 137 cases have been listed to be handled, and notable among the mediators taking part in the exercise are Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Hon. Nobert Mao, Former Attorney General Hon. Fred Ruhindi, Principal Judge Emeritus Dr. Yorakamu Bamwine, Retired Supreme Court Justice Eldard Mwangusha, and former Uganda Law Society President Mr. Simon Peter Kinobe.
Others expected to participate include Commercial Division High Court Judges led by Deputy Head Lady Justice Anna.B. Mugenyi, Lady Justice Cornelia Kakooza Sabiiti, Lady Justice Harriet Grace Magala, Lady Justice Patricia Mutesi, Justice Ocaya Thomas Ojele Lubanga, Lady Justice Patience Tumusiime Rubagumya, and the Registrar, among others. The Case Settlement Week will end on Friday, August 9, 2024.
A total of 214 cases will be handled by the Civil Division Court during the settlement week. The cases were distributed among mediators, who include judicial officers and non-judicially accredited mediators.
Mediators have been allocated cases as follows: Justice Musa Ssekaana (35 cases), Justice Paul Gadenya (30 cases), Lady Justice Esther Nambayo (25 cases), Justice Boniface Wamala (20 cases), Justice Dr. Singiza K. Douglas (20 cases), HW Shwanda Nkore Jolly (30 cases), Counsel Wakabala Susan Sylvia (29 cases), and Dr. David Gureme Mushabe (25 cases).
This case settlement week is designed to address and resolve the pending cases through mediation, the removal of obstacles in communication, the exploration of issues, and emphasizing a more streamlined and user-friendly approach to justice for all.
