By KT Reporter
Former Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) has called on graduates from the institution to embrace alternative justice systems as a means to foster peace and harmony in society.
Justice Katureebe noted that alternative justice mechanisms such as arbitration, mediation and other non-adversarial dispute resolution are efficient in promoting justice outside the traditional courtroom.
Justice Katureebe made the remarks on Friday while presiding over the 22nd graduation ceremony for the conferment of degrees and award of postgraduate diplomas at UMI Gulu campus.
He pointed out that while the formal justice system plays a vital role in dispensing justice, it is often overburdened, slow, and sometimes inaccessible to marginalized groups. Justice Katureebe urged the graduates to conduct research into the alternative justice systems and be the champions of systemic conflict resolution.
The former Chief Justice pointed out that by integrating traditional African conflict resolution methods with the modern legal framework, the move can foster justice that is restorative rather than punitive, thus promoting social cohesion.
He urged all those in academia, policy makers, business leaders, and community members to work together in creating a society where conflicts are resolved peacefully and justice is accessible to all.
Dr James Nkata, the Director General at UMI, however, emphasized the need for the graduates to build a network for collaboration among themselves, citing that they can’t succeed when working in isolation.
Dr Nkata noted that the institution has prepared the graduates not to just step into careers or advance their careers, but rather to step into roles and responsibilities where they are called to lead with integrity.
Dr Nkata, however, urged the graduates to be critical thinkers and active participants in shaping society, arguing that the world needs thoughtful leaders, ethical decision makers, and individuals who are willing to stand up for justice and progress.
Dr Nkata also highlighted remarkable progress the institution continues to achieve, including the rolling out of three new programmes for the 2025-26 academic year. The new programmes include postgraduate diplomas in Cyber Security and Computer Forensics, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Business and Data Analysis.
A total of 241 students graduated today at the institution, out of which 192 were postgraduate diplomas and 49 master’s degrees-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
