The High Court's Commercial Division in Uganda has achieved a significant milestone by settling 64 trade, corporate, and construction disputes worth Shs20.67 billion through mediation. This success was recorded during a 60-day mediation exercise that followed the division's Settlement Fortnight held from August 17 to 30, 2026. The exercise, which officially closed on October 17, aimed to free up resources tied up in litigation and help businesses avoid prolonged court battles.
According to Justice Anna Bitature Mugenyi, the Head of the Commercial Division, a total of 452 cases were assigned to 26 mediators drawn from judicial officers and accredited mediators. Of these, 229 cases were completed, representing a completion rate of 50.7 per cent. The completed cases resulted in 60 full settlements and four partial settlements, while 165 ended without an agreement.
The report showed that 20 of the 64 settled cases were drawn from an existing backlog of 603 disputes in the trade, corporate, and construction cluster, worth Shs7.06 billion. These cases accounted for 34.2 per cent of the total value of settlements. Additionally, 16 settlements involved suits filed in 2025, helping prevent them from adding to the court backlog.
The oldest settled case, filed in 2022, involved a subject matter value of Shs282.1 million and was resolved on September 2, 2026. The exercise also supported the government's Tenfold Growth Strategy and the Fourth National Development Plan, with 25 disputes worth approximately Shs7.75 billion falling within priority sectors and economic enablers.
Justice Mugenyi attributed the relatively low completion rate partly to inadequate screening, revealing that 117 cases listed for mediation were non-starters. She recommended establishing a dedicated case-screening committee, assigning cases and issuing hearing notices early, and setting uniform performance targets to improve future performance.
Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo emphasized that mediation should not be assessed solely by the number of cases concluded but also by its impact on relationships, businesses, and the wider economy. She described mediation as meaningful justice, allowing parties to resolve disputes amicably and leave the process satisfied.
Stakeholders, including former Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera and lawyer Maxim Mutabingwa, commended the Commercial Division for developing the programme and urged stakeholders to strengthen mediation by improving understanding and participation. They also called for increased training of advocates to address resistance to mediation among some members of the legal profession.
Key points
- The High Court's Commercial Division in Uganda has settled 64 commercial disputes worth Shs20.67 billion through mediation.
- The mediation exercise achieved a 50.7 per cent completion rate, with 60 full settlements and four partial settlements.
- Stakeholders have urged for stronger case screening, improved logistical support, and greater participation by lawyers and litigants to enhance the effectiveness of future mediation exercises.
