Kampala City, Uganda: The Chief Justice of Uganda, Dr. Flavian Zeija, and his Zambian counterpart, Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, paid a joint courtesy visit to the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and strengthen commercial justice systems across Africa.
The visit to URSB headquarters in Kololo on Monday formed part of Justice Malila’s official engagements in Uganda following his assumption of leadership of the Africa Chief Justices’ Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum (ACJADRF).
Justice Malila recently succeeded former Uganda Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo as Chairperson of the continental forum during a handover ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Kampala on June 15.
The two Chief Justices were received by Mr. George Fred Kagimu, representing the URSB Board Chairman, Rt. Hon. Amb. Francis K. Butagira, alongside URSB Registrar General Ms. Mercy Kainobwisho and members of the Bureau’s top management.
ADR Critical for Access to Justice
During the visit, Justice Malila emphasized the growing importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms in modern justice systems, noting that they offer faster, less costly and more harmonious ways of resolving disputes.
He observed that ADR processes help reduce case backlogs in courts while preserving relationships between parties and promoting social cohesion.
The Zambian Chief Justice said African countries must continue investing in ADR frameworks as part of broader efforts to improve access to justice and support economic development.
His remarks align with the objectives of the Africa Chief Justices’ Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum, which seeks to strengthen alternative justice mechanisms across the continent and support the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
URSB Commits to Strengthening ADR
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Kagimu reaffirmed URSB’s commitment to promoting and institutionalizing ADR mechanisms across the Bureau’s service portfolio.
“I am happy, Your Lordship, to learn of the proposed Africa Chief Justices ADR Forum, which seeks to promote and position ADR as a mechanism for the realisation of the 2063 Africa Agenda to promote alternative justice systems that enable the interface between formal and informal justice systems in Africa,” Kagimu said.
He noted that URSB fully supports initiatives aimed at expanding ADR and expressed the Bureau’s readiness to contribute to the formalization and operationalization of the continental forum.
Kagimu described the forum as a critical platform that will advance the adoption of alternative dispute resolution systems across African jurisdictions.
URSB Highlights ADR Successes
Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho informed the visiting Chief Justices that URSB has emerged as one of Uganda’s leading institutions in the application of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.
She said the Bureau has invested considerable resources in strengthening its quasi-judicial functions and promoting efficient dispute resolution processes.
According to Kainobwisho, URSB has successfully disposed of 89 disputes during the current financial year through ADR mechanisms, highlighting the effectiveness of the approach in resolving commercial and intellectual property-related disputes.
She thanked the two Chief Justices for choosing URSB as a model institution for the advancement of ADR and for the confidence they continue to place in the Bureau.
“We appreciate Their Lordships for their trust and confidence in the institution and for selecting URSB as a model institution in advancing Alternative Dispute Resolution,” Kainobwisho said.
Promoting Africa’s Justice Agenda
The visit comes at a time when judicial leaders across Africa are increasingly advocating for alternative justice mechanisms to complement formal court systems and improve efficiency in dispute resolution.
Advocates argue that ADR mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration and negotiation can help reduce litigation costs, speed up dispute resolution and create a more business-friendly environment that supports investment and economic growth.
The engagement between the two Chief Justices and URSB leadership also underscored the growing recognition of commercial ADR systems as important tools for strengthening governance, enhancing access to justice and supporting Africa’s broader development agenda.
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