The Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, is strongly urging lawyers to adopt new ways of resolving conflicts outside of traditional court battles. He believes these alternative methods, known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), are much quicker and better for the economy. The Chief Justice highlighted that too many lengthy court cases are slowing down Uganda’s economy and making people lose trust in our financial system, keeping vast sums of money tied up and unproductive.
This important message was delivered during a training program for lawyers focused on ADR in Kampala. The program aims to help implement new national strategies and rules that encourage using these alternative methods to deliver justice more efficiently.
Justice Zeija emphasized that lawyers are key figures in our justice system. By embracing ADR, they can provide citizens and businesses with more choices for resolving disagreements, leading to faster results. He noted that as Uganda’s economy grows, so do financial disputes, and delays in resolving them are a major economic burden. Cases involving banking and credit, for instance, often lock up money in court for years, making borrowing more expensive and reducing confidence in the entire financial sector. The Chief Justice urged lawyers to shift their mindset: instead of just managing court cases, they should become “engineers of economic flow,” guiding clients towards mediation and other quick settlement options.
He stressed that ADR should be the first choice for financial disputes because drawn-out court battles harm borrowers, businesses, and the economy at large. Justice Zeija also assured lawyers that using mediation won’t make them less important. In fact, clients who achieve quicker, negotiated settlements are more likely to remain happy with their legal services and continue to seek legal advice in the future. This approach ultimately strengthens access to justice, offering quicker, more practical outcomes for everyone involved.