KAMPALA – Emeritus Chief Justice of Uganda Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has handed over leadership of the Africa Chief Justices’ Forum on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ACJADRF) to Zambia’s Chief Justice, Dr. Mumba Malila.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The handover ceremony, held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the Supreme Court boardroom in Kampala, marked a significant transition for the continental judicial body established just two years ago.
The event was attended by Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Judges of the High Court, senior judicial management, lower bench judicial officers, and justice sector stakeholders.
Speaking at the function, Dr. Malila paid heartfelt tribute to his predecessor for visionary leadership, recalling that the forum owes its existence to a March 2024 summit organised by the Ugandan judiciary.
He also commended Uganda’s current Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, for continuing to host the forum’s secretariat, ensuring continuity for the young continental body.
Dr. Malila declared that Alternative Dispute Resolution is no longer a luxury but an urgent imperative, and pledged to build on the strong foundation laid by his predecessor to ensure the forum achieves its objectives during his tenure.
“Had it not been for Uganda’s March 2024 summit, this forum would not exist. Alternative Dispute Resolution is not a luxury but a necessity; our justice systems are crippled by delays. ADR produces no losers, only lasting peace and mutual satisfaction. I will build on my predecessor’s foundation to achieve our goals,” said Malila.
Emeritus Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo expressed full confidence in his successor, noting that Dr. Malila had been part of the original team that helped establish the forum in 2024 and would surely raise it to greater heights.
Drawing on international experience, he pointed to the United States, where over 90% of civil cases are resolved through ADR, and argued that developing clear rules for mediators is essential for Uganda to follow that successful trend.
“I am confident Dr. Malila will raise this forum to greater heights. The United States resolves over 90% of civil cases through ADR because they developed clear mediator rules. Once we develop our own rules, Uganda will follow that trend,” stated Owiny-Dollo.
Uganda’s current Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to embedding ADR within the administration of justice as a means of fostering social harmony.
Zeija drew a crucial distinction between the formal court system and ADR: while courts determine disputes, ADR focuses on resolving them, making the two approaches complementary rather than contradictory.
During the day, Zambia’s Chief Justice, Dr. Mumba Malila, paid a courtesy call on Chief Justice Zeija at his chambers, where they discussed strengthening judicial cooperation and advancing ADR mechanisms across the continent.
The new ACJADRF Chairperson also visited the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and Makerere University School of Law, signaling the forum’s commitment to engaging institutional and academic partners in advancing the ADR agenda.
The Africa Chief Justices’ Forum on Alternative Dispute Resolution was established following Resolution 16 at a summit held in Kampala, Uganda, in March 2024.
The forum serves as a continental platform bringing together Chief Justices from across Africa to advance ADR as an effective mechanism for justice.
The forum also supports the realisation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 aspirations for sustainable development, peace, and prosperity across the continent.
The forum’s overarching objective is to re-engineer Africa’s justice systems by promoting efficient, accessible, and people-centred ADR mechanisms.
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