Kampala, Uganda: The Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, Hon. Lady Justice Jane Abodo, has directed the appointment of court-accredited mediators to handle civil suits No. 43/2023 and 56/2023, among others, filed against the government over the gazettement of the Umukuka III of the Bamasaaba people.
The petitioners, Mr. Gidudu Masolo, Eng. Sakwa and Mr. Wagabyalire dragged the government to court in 2023, challenging the legitimacy of the gazettement of His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma as the cultural leader of the Bamasaaba.
Bugisu Cultural Institution spokesperson Hon. Steven Masiga welcomed the judiciary’s position, noting that the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms is in line with Articles 246(2) and 126 of the Constitution of Uganda, as well as the Cultural Leaders Act, 2011.
Masiga said the Bukuka leadership is fully behind ADR, which he described as a faster and more healing mechanism for cultural disputes, compared to adversarial court battles.
He further requested mediators to provide clarity on the tenure of Umukuka III, whose reign began in 2023 and is expected to run until 2028.
The judiciary has been pushing for cultural and land-related conflicts to be resolved through ADR, following recommendations from the recent national ADR summit held in Munyonyo, which brought together cultural leaders, judiciary officials, and religious representatives.
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