KABALE. The Chief Justice of Uganda, Dr. Flavian Zeija, has called on lawyers to focus on preventing or resolving legal disputes through effective mediation, before opting to engage in prolonged court battles.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Speaking yesterday, as the chief guest at the Kabale University Faculty of Law’s second Professional Dinner for students, Dr. Zeija urged Law students to aspire to be peacemakers by helping society resolve conflicts through mediation rather than resorting to court litigation.
He emphasized that such an approach would positively contribute to peace and stability in the country.
“A successful lawyer is not one who wins court cases, but one who helps to prevent them” he said.
Dr. Zeija observed that courts tend to decide cases rather than resolve them, often leaving one or both parties dissatisfied.
“We often make the mistake of assuming that these cases are truly resolved, but they are not. Judges merely make decisions that leave either or both sides dissatisfied. For every case that is decided, we are either cursed or blessed, by either or both sides” he said. He added that this is why, sometimes, cases ruled in favor of individuals are later appealed by the same individuals because the parties remain dissatisfied with the judgment.
He further revealed that recent research shows that only 10% of conflicts in Uganda end up in court. The majority of Ugandans prefer alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation by religious leaders or traditional conflict resolution mechanisms.
“It is therefore our duty to extend professional assistance to the remaining 90% of Ugandans who are dealing with conflicts outside the courtroom,” Zeija emphasized.
CUE IN…C.J ZEIJA
At the same event, the Resident Judge of the Kabale High Court, Justice Karoli Lwanga, commended Kabale University for maintaining the tradition of hosting student dinners. He stated that such events motivate students to aim for high academic achievements, as they have the opportunity to meet their role models and potential mentors already active in the legal field. Justice Lwanga also reported that Kabale High Court has been collaborating with the university’s Law Faculty in mentorship and resource sharing.
CUE IN…JUSTICE SSEMOGERERE
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joy Kwesiga, confirmed Justice Ssemogerere’s statements, adding that the judge had opened his library at Kabale High Court chambers to the university’s law faculty. Prof. Kwesiga noted that Justice Ssemogerere had also delivered free lectures to the law students.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charlotte Kabaseke, Dean of the Law Faculty at Kabale University, explained that this year’s dinner was held under the theme “The Role of Lawyers Beyond the Courtroom,” which aims to broaden students’ understanding of the diverse and evolving functions of legal practitioners in society.
The dinner brought together students, advocates, and other professionals in an interactive setting, fostering candid conversations, mentorship, and the sharing of real-world experiences.
Present at the event were also the Mukono High Court Resident Judge, Justice Bareebe Rose Mary Ngabirano, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs’ Permanent Secretary, Dr. Pius Bigirimana, Kabale Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha, and other dignitaries.
Kabale University officially inaugurated its Faculty of Law on May 22, 2024, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to expand access to quality and affordable legal education, especially following its establishment as a public university in 2015.
In 2025, Kabale University received accreditation from the Law Council of Uganda and the Higher Council for Education to teach law. It became one of only 19 universities in the country with such accreditation as of April 2026. The faculty aims to bridge the gap between law and society by offering a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), one of the most dynamic academic programs at the southwestern Uganda-based institution.
About the Author
