By KT Reporter
The Judicial Training Institute has kicked off a five-day training workshop for magistrates and judges from the Bugisu, Sebei, Teso, and Bukedi regions. The training is aimed at promoting mediation as a tool to address the growing case backlog in courts.
The training in Mbale City brings together judicial officers who handle civil matters in their respective jurisdictions.
Andrew Khaukha, the Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute, said the workshop is intended to enhance the capacity of judicial officers in handling civil disputes through mediation, a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Khaukha noted that up to 99 percent of civil cases can be resolved through mediation if judicial officers and litigants embrace the method.
“Delays in court rulings, especially in land-related cases, can have serious consequences on people’s lives and livelihoods. Mediation provides a quicker and less adversarial path to justice,” Khaukha said.
He added that the Judiciary is scaling up the use of mediation as part of efforts to decongest courts and improve access to justice.
Farouq Lubega, the Resident Judge at Mbale High Court, expressed concern that judicial officers are spending too much time in training and meetings, which is affecting court attendance and contributing to the backlog.
“While the need for training is valid, it is also important that we remain present in court to handle the matters before us. We must balance capacity building with our core duty of dispensing justice,” Lubega said.
He encouraged judicial officers to embrace mediation in their courts as a practical way of reducing workloads and ensuring timely justice delivery.
The workshop is part of the Judiciary’s broader strategy to implement Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, as outlined in its Strategic Investment Plan-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
