By Nasser Kayanja
KAMPALA: The High Court Commercial Division has launched a two-week Trade Dispute Settlement Fortnight aimed at resolving commercial disputes through mediation and unlocking about Shs325 billion tied up in court cases.
The mediation exercise, running from August 17 to 31, will focus on disputes involving trade, construction and corporate transactions, with the Judiciary seeking to reduce the case backlog and promote faster access to justice.
While flagging off the fortnight, Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo urged judges and lawyers to identify suitable cases for mediation and encourage parties to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Justice Abodo said prolonged litigation can tie up business capital, delay projects and strain commercial relationships, making mediation an important tool for resolving disputes more efficiently.
The Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Professor Andrew Khaukha, said the trade sector plays a significant role in Uganda’s economy and contributes substantially to government revenue.
Professor Khaukha noted that trade contributed about 35 percent of the Shs31.6 trillion collected by the Uganda Revenue Authority to finance the country’s Shs72 trillion budget during the financial year.
He said the Judiciary had already recorded positive results from similar mediation initiatives.
According to Khaukha, a previous Banking Mediation Fortnight resulted in the resolution of about 98 disputes and unlocked approximately Shs90 billion.
He said the latest initiative is expected to build on those achievements by helping businesses recover funds tied up in prolonged commercial disputes while easing pressure on the courts.