Museveni Pushes Alternative Justice Systems as Judiciary Faces Backlog

President Yoweri Museveni has urged judicial officers to prioritise Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms as a way of addressing Uganda’s long-standing case backlog. Museveni said judges must actively manage cases and guide litigants towards appropriate resolution mechanisms, noting that this would ease pressure on the Judiciary and allow courts to focus on serious and complex matters.

He explained that the Constitution recognises ADR by incorporating traditional and cultural leaders into the administration of justice. “The promotion of Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) is not a step backward; it is a step inward towards a justice system that is more accessible, more understandable, and more meaningful to the ordinary Ugandan. When our people see themselves in the justice system, they trust it more. And a trusted judiciary is a strong judiciary,” he said.

ADR mechanisms include mediation, negotiation, conciliation, arbitration, and plea bargaining, among others. Museveni stressed that Uganda has a long tradition of resolving disputes through dialogue and reconciliation, urging judicial officers to embrace ADR and Alternative Justice Systems, effective case management in complex matters, sentencing consistency, technology, and judicial leadership. He described these as practical tools for improving performance and restoring public confidence in the Judiciary.

The President made the remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo during the opening of the 27th Annual Judges’ Conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Wednesday, February 2, 2026. According to the 2025 Judiciary National Court Case Census report, 46,542 out of 167,353 unresolved cases are classified as backlog. A case is considered a backlog if it has remained in the judicial system for two years or more.

Museveni said a strong, independent, and efficient Judiciary is indispensable to democracy, peace, and national development, as it underpins investor confidence, protects rights, resolves disputes, and maintains social order. “This is why we continue to support judicial infrastructure expansion, staffing, training, and institutional reform — even as we demand discipline, integrity, and accountability,” he said.

He added that the NRM Manifesto is anchored on building a stable, disciplined, and productive society governed by strong and effective institutions. Museveni noted that under National Development Plan V, the government has prioritised human capital development, public sector efficiency, and institutional performance as key drivers of socio-economic transformation, with the Judiciary playing a central role in this agenda.

He said it is within this context that the theme of this year’s Judges’ Conference, “Judicial Wellness: A Tool for Effective Case Management,” becomes particularly relevant. Citing the 1995 Constitution, Museveni said, “Judicial power is derived from the people and must be exercised in their name, in accordance with their values and for their benefit. Justice must therefore be accessible, timely, impartial, and respectful.”

However, he noted that this constitutional promise cannot be fully realised if judicial officers are overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsupported. He reminded judges that effective justice systems lie at the heart of every democratic country, emphasising that no nation can be stable, prosperous, or sovereign without an effective system of justice.

“Our people should experience justice not in legal theory, but in time taken to resolve disputes, the cost involved, and the certainty of outcomes,” he said. Museveni added that case backlogs are not caused by laws alone but arise from systems, organisation, leadership, and human capacity challenges. “Judges are human beings. They carry heavy workloads, face public pressure, and handle emotionally demanding matters. If that pressure is not well managed, it affects output,” he said.

He cited fatigue as a major contributor to delays, noting that delays lead to dissatisfaction, which in turn breeds instability. He said the strength of the justice system ultimately depends on the physical, mental, and ethical well-being of those entrusted with judicial power. The President commended the Judiciary’s leadership during the transition period, praising the retiring Chief Justice, Alphonse Owiny Dollo, for his dedicated service and reforms implemented during his tenure.

“In particular, the deliberate re-engineering of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Alternative Justice Systems that laid a firm institutional foundation for mediation, reconciliation, and community-based justice,” he said. Museveni said the reforms strengthened access to justice, reduced pressure on formal courts, and advanced the Africanisation of justice by promoting restorative and culturally rooted approaches. He noted that the reforms provided a coordinated framework for positioning ADR as a central pillar of justice delivery.

He congratulated the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, upon assuming office, saying the Judiciary is expected to consolidate existing reforms, strengthen efficiency and integrity, and enhance public confidence in the administration of justice. “I trust that under this leadership, the Judiciary will continue to align its work with national development priorities and play its role in the transformation of Uganda,” he said.

Museveni urged the conference to focus on practical solutions that reduce case backlog, improve turnaround time, and strengthen public confidence, noting that every resolved land, commercial, and criminal dispute contributes to economic development. “The wananchi are watching. They want results,” he said.