By Nasser Kayanja

KAMPALA — The Judiciary has called on the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), insurance companies and intellectual property owners to embrace mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to reduce case backlogs and unlock Shs5.7 billion tied up in commercial disputes.

The call was made during a mediation fortnight organised by the Judiciary to facilitate the settlement of disputes involving insurance claims, intellectual property rights and tax revenue appeals.

Justices of the Commercial Court, Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo and Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute Dr Andrew Kaukha on Tuesday met representatives of insurance companies, intellectual property owners, URA and advocates to discuss ways of promoting mediation as an effective Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism.

The initiative seeks to encourage parties to resolve disputes outside conventional court proceedings, allowing businesses to recover funds tied up in litigation, protect commercial relationships and obtain timely legal remedies.

The Judiciary said successful mediation could release money held up in insurance claims and tax appeals back into the economy while enabling innovators, manufacturers and other intellectual property owners to secure faster protection of their rights.

The justices observed that although disputes involving insurance, intellectual property and revenue appeals may be relatively few, they have significant implications for business operations, investment and economic activity.

They noted that resolving such cases early would help protect commercial relationships and preserve business partnerships that parties may need to maintain long after disputes have been settled.

The Judiciary is therefore encouraging URA, insurers, businesses and legal practitioners to adopt mediation as a practical approach to resolving commercial disagreements, easing pressure on courts and improving access to justice.