The Judiciary has launched a major rollout of Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) training in the Acholi Sub-region, in a move aimed at expanding access to justice through community-based mechanisms.
The training, which began on Monday in Gulu City, has brought together judicial officers, local leaders, ADR/AJS practitioners, justice sector actors, and community representatives. It is intended to promote people-centred approaches to dispute resolution while easing pressure on the formal court system.
Speaking at the opening, the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, described the engagement as timely, noting that the Acholi Sub-region continues to face significant justice challenges. She referred to the Justice Needs and Satisfaction Study, which shows that the Northern region experiences the highest number of legal problems per person in the country, with an average of 4.7 cases, alongside the lowest levels of financial security.
She added that the situation places a heavy responsibility on judicial officers, who serve as the primary interface between the justice system and the public.
Court data presented during the meeting highlighted a growing case backlog in the region. The Gulu High Court Circuit alone has about 939 pending cases, with land disputes accounting for nearly 42 per cent. Other courts in the sub-region, including Kitgum and Patongo, also reported significant numbers of unresolved cases at 294 and 213, respectively.
Justice Abodo emphasised that AJS and ADR are designed to complement, not replace, the formal court system. She noted that these mechanisms draw on traditional and community-based practices that prioritise reconciliation, restoration of relationships, and social harmony. The Principal Judge outlined the types of disputes suitable for AJS, including family matters, inheritance, land and boundary conflicts, and minor civil disputes.
However, she cautioned that serious criminal cases such as rape, defilement, domestic violence, and land fraud must remain within the formal justice system. Justice Abodo also stressed the importance of ethical standards in mediation processes, calling on stakeholders to uphold integrity, impartiality, confidentiality, and respect for human rights.
Participants were encouraged to strengthen collaboration between courts and traditional, cultural, and religious leaders to ensure that dispute resolution mechanisms remain accessible, efficient, and credible.
She urged judicial officers to take a leading role in identifying cases suitable for referral and to actively support the initiative. “Your understanding and commitment will determine whether AJS succeeds or fails in this region,” she said.
Providing historical context, the Gulu High Court Circuit Resident Judge, Philip Odoki, traced the roots of alternative justice to traditional African dispute resolution systems, which he said were accessible, community-driven, and focused on restoring harmony.
Justice Odoki explained that the introduction of the formal court system, largely inherited from colonial legal structures, created a “one-door” approach to justice, concentrating all disputes within the judiciary and contributing to case backlog and limited accessibility.
“In the past, we had a multi-door approach where communities could resolve disputes through various channels. But with the formal system, all cases are channelled to courts, creating pressure that has resulted in a significant backlog,” he noted.
At Gulu High Court, Justice Odoki revealed that a total of 1,970 cases are being handled by only two judges, underscoring the urgent need for alternative justice mechanisms. He further pointed out that many communities still rely on informal justice systems, noting that up to 90 per cent of disputes are resolved outside formal courts due to accessibility, cost, and cultural familiarity.
However, he cautioned that the application of AJS must strictly respect human rights and constitutional safeguards, warning against outcomes that violate the Bill of Rights, such as denying women property rights or imposing unconstitutional punishments.
Justice Odoki also emphasised the need to simplify and informalise justice processes under AJS to ensure they remain accessible and do not replicate the complexity of formal courts. Former Chief Justice Richard Butera urged participants to demonstrate neutrality while handling mediation cases to build confidence in AJS and ADR mechanisms, cautioning against passing judgments.
Justice Butera also warned against adopting evaluative mediation too early in the process, noting that it may be perceived as bias by disputing parties.
“My view is don’t adopt evaluative mediation unless the parties invite you to do so or later in the discussion. At the beginning of mediation, if you start being evaluative with the case, the parties will see you are biased,” he said.
To support implementation, the Judiciary has established a specialised faculty of experts in ADR and AJS, including Justice Butera and other senior legal practitioners, to provide ongoing training and mentorship.
The rollout of the training in the Acholi Sub-region marks the first phase of a broader national effort by the Judiciary to promote alternative dispute resolution as a strategy to reduce case backlog and enhance timely delivery of justice-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com.
