Norbert Mao Finally Reaches an Agreement with Museveni to Approve NADR Policy

Uganda’s Cabinet has unanimously approved the National Alternative Dispute Resolution (NADR) Policy, a move aimed at transforming the country’s legal landscape.

The policy, spearheaded by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao, is expected to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms as a way to ease the burden on the judiciary.

Norbert Mao announced the breakthrough on Monday, February 10, 2024, expressing confidence that the policy will reduce the overwhelming case backlog in Ugandan courts.

“I’m pleased to announce that yesterday, Monday, 10th February 2024, the Cabinet unanimously approved the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy. The policy is a roadmap to popularize ADR in the resolution of disputes. This will reduce case backlog in our courts,” he stated.

The NADR Policy aims to encourage the use of mediation, arbitration, negotiation, and other out-of-court settlement methods to resolve disputes.

By doing so, it seeks to reduce the lengthy and expensive litigation process that has led to congestion in courts and delayed justice for many Ugandans.

Legal experts have welcomed the move, arguing that it will provide faster, cost-effective, and more amicable solutions to conflicts.

“This policy is long overdue. The traditional court system is slow, costly, and sometimes ineffective in handling certain disputes. ADR provides a win-win situation for parties involved,” noted a senior legal analyst.

Norbert Mao’s success in pushing this policy forward is seen as a significant milestone in his tenure as Justice Minister.

Despite initial skepticism about his cooperation with President Museveni, Norbert Mao has steadily carved out a role for himself in the government’s legal reforms.

His ability to secure unanimous Cabinet approval suggests growing influence and strategic positioning within Museveni’s administration.

Political analysts claims that this could further cement his role in shaping Uganda’s legal and governance structures in the coming years.

LINK: https://x.com/norbertmao/status/1889190195590725900

With the policy now approved at the Cabinet level, the next steps will involve implementation frameworks and possible legislation to support its rollout.

The Judiciary and relevant stakeholders will be tasked with ensuring that ADR mechanisms are accessible, efficient, and widely embraced across the country.