The Principal Judge, Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has launched a two-week mediation exercise targeting more than 500 land-related cases at the Land Division of the High Court in a bid to reduce case backlog and promote faster resolution of disputes.
The exercise, dubbed the Land Settlement Fortnight, commenced on Monday and will run until July 19, bringing together judicial officers, mediators, lawyers and litigants to explore alternative ways of resolving land disputes outside the traditional courtroom process.
Speaking at the launch held at the Land Division in Kampala, Justice Abodo said the initiative comes at a critical time when the division is grappling with a growing caseload and a significant backlog of cases.
‘In the third quarter, 1,067 new cases were registered, bringing the total pending caseload to 7,279 cases as at March 31, 2026. While 1,363 cases were disposed of, including 58 mediation cases, the division still carries a significant backlog of 3,294 cases, representing 45.2 per cent of the total pending workload,’ Justice Abodo said.
She noted that the figures highlight the urgent need for innovative interventions to expedite the disposal of land disputes, which often have far-reaching consequences on economic development, investment and social stability.
‘Land disputes are not only complex and emotionally charged but often have profound implications for economic development, investment and social harmony. When these matters remain unresolved for long periods, they lock up land, discourage investment and erode public confidence in the justice system,’ she said.
Justice Abodo said the settlement fortnight is a strategic response anchored in the Judicature (Court Annexed Mediation) Rules, 2026, which provide a structured framework for resolving disputes through mediation.
‘With its 60-day mandatory mediation timeline, judiciary-supported mediation services and the enforceability of settlement agreements as court orders, we now have a powerful mechanism to deliver timely, cost-effective and sustainable justice,’ she said.
The Principal Judge acknowledged that prolonged litigation often leaves parties financially drained and relationships strained.
‘We must confront the reality that prolonged litigation in land matters benefits no one. Many parties enter the courtroom seeking total victory, only to come out years later exhausted, financially depleted and with fractured relationships,’ she said.
‘In land justice, time lost is an opportunity lost for families, investors and the nation at large. This is why we are promoting a shift from adversarial litigation to constructive problem-solving through mediation and other Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.’
Justice Abodo urged judicial officers across the country to identify and refer suitable cases for mediation, particularly long-pending matters, as part of efforts to improve case management and reduce the backlog.
‘Let us intentionally prioritise the oldest cases and weed out inactive matters that inflate our statistics. Your leadership during this period will be instrumental in reducing the backlog and improving overall performance,’ she said.
She also called upon lawyers to embrace mediation and guide their clients towards practical and mutually beneficial settlements.
‘The great advocate of today guides clients towards practical, mutually acceptable solutions rather than prolonged battles. Embrace this fortnight as an opportunity to deliver better outcomes for your clients at lower cost and in shorter time,’ she said.
Justice Abodo said the initiative also seeks to address persistent challenges facing the Land Division, including staffing constraints and inefficiencies in case management.
The Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Justice Andrew Khaukha, said the Judiciary is increasingly integrating Alternative Dispute Resolution into court processes as a means of tackling the growing backlog of cases.
He noted that mediation has proven effective in resolving disputes and reducing the burden on courts.
‘Up to 99 per cent of civil cases can be settled through mediation if parties are willing to engage in the process,’ Justice Khaukha said.
The Judiciary has in recent years intensified efforts to promote mediation as a faster, cheaper, and less adversarial means of resolving disputes, particularly in land matters, which account for a significant portion of cases before courts.