70 judicial officers from Northern Uganda who are attending a week-long training on case management and alternative dispute mechanisms at Acholi in Gulu City have acquired knowledge on alternative justice mechanisms as a means of resolving disputes without trial.

The event that attracted judges, deputy registrars, chief magistrates and grade one magistrates serving in high courts of Lira, Patongo, Gulu and Kitgum was held under the theme judicial effectiveness through improved case management.

The Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, underscored the judiciary’s commitment to enhancing access to justice through efficient pre-trial processes, improved judgement writing and integration of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms through capacity building as key in improving justice delivery in the country.

Dollo stressed that continuous capacity building and innovation remain key to improving justice delivery in the country. He further said that the alternative justice mechanism helps to speed up the time spent in court.

Gulu Resident Judge and Head of Gulu High Court Circuit, Justice Philip Odoki, commended the Organising Committee for delivering a well-structured programme and urged the officers to actively engage, learn from each other, and embrace the opportunity to improve their judicial craft.

The Acting Registrar in charge of the Alternative Justice Mechanism, Her Worship Nanteza Zulaika, said that they are revamping the Alternative Justice Mechanism in the Judiciary to help with the high case backlog.

Zulaika revealed that they have also partnered with all commissioned judicial officers with mentors to help them in their work of Alternative Justice Mechanism in the Judiciary.

The event was also attended by justices Yorokamu Bamwine and Prof. Andrew Khauka, executive director of JTI; Justice David K Wangutusi, retired judge of the High Court; Lillian Bucyana, Acting Registrar of the Judicial Training Institute; Barbra Kilei, member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; among others.

The one-week training is organised by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) in collaboration with the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Registry to promote the adoption of best practices in case management, enhance judgement writing and strengthen the use of alternative dispute resolution techniques.