President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed gratitude to Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo Chigamoy for his dedication to championing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in settling legal disputes and reducing the case backlog within Uganda’s judicial system.
President Museveni noted that this new people-centered approach to resolving disputes is similar and aligned with traditional dispute resolution mechanisms that promote unity and togetherness in Africa.
During the graduation ceremony held at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala, Vice President Jessica Alupo, representing President Museveni, praised ADR for encouraging constructive dialogue and collaboration among conflicting parties, thereby promoting lasting peace in the country.
Museveni also thanked the judiciary for moving away from a colonial disposition towards an African approach to extending justice to the people, in line with the constitution of African countries, which mandates courts to administer justice reflecting cultural norms and practices.
He emphasized that promoting ADR is a cost-effective and efficient way to dispose of cases, addressing one of the major problems in African judiciaries, the case backlog. This, he believes, promotes stability, lasting peace, and timely justice at a low cost and in a more peaceful environment.
Museveni congratulated the graduates on their successful completion of their studies and commended Pepperdine University for its tremendous support to the Ugandan Judiciary.
Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo Chigamoy expressed gratitude to the Chief Justices Emeritus who initiated the partnership between the Judiciary and Pepperdine University, enabling them to graduate with various qualifications in Dispute Resolution.
He highlighted the deliberate choice of having eleven graduates, expressing humorously that had there been twelve, there could have been a Judas among them. He also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the graduates and welcomed the professors from Pepperdine University to Uganda.
Honorable Norbert Mao, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and one of the graduates, commended the Judiciary administration for its persistence in implementing policies and programs. He emphasized the importance of continuity and praised the current leadership for building on the foundation laid by their predecessors. Finally, he thanked Pepperdine University for their contribution, likening their support to lighting candles that brighten the future for many.
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