PJ Guides on ADR As a Practical Tool for Criminal Justice Administration and Judicial Wellness
The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has guided a panel assigned to the topic "Alternative Dispute Resolution in Criminal Justice Administration" ahead of the forthcoming Annual Judges' Conference(AJC), emphasising the need for a practical, experience-driven and judge-centred engagement.
During a preparatory meeting held earlier today, Justice Abodo advised that the panel discussion should be conversational rather than theoretical, and grounded inreal courtroom experience. She outlined three key objectives to shape the engagement: demonstrating that ADR is fully compatible with criminal justice and judicial authority; positioning ADR as a practical case-management tool rather than an abstract concept; and clearly linking ADR to judicial wellness.
The Principal Judge underscored that ADR remains firmly under judicial control. Drawing on her experience in both the Judiciary and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, she acknowledged concerns among some judicial officers that ADR could dilute judicial authority. She clarified that, on the contrary, ADR strengthens judicial oversight, as it is the judicial officer who determines suitability, manages the process, and ultimately controls the outcome.
She further stressed that ADR must be applied selectively and on principle, rather than as a blanket diversion from the criminal justice process. Judicial discretion, particularly in matters involving public interest, remains paramount. When properly deployed, ADR enables judicial officers to devote greater attention to complex and serious cases, while resolving suitable disputes, such as compensation-driven matters-more efficiently. This approach, she noted, improves docket management and reduces the strain associated with prolonged trials and extensive judgment writing.
Justice Abodo welcomed the proposed panel format, which will be structured around guided questions rather than slide presentations. She observed that this approach will foster peer-to-peer engagement and enable judges to share lived courtroom experiences, ensuring that the discussion yields practical lessons applicable across court stations.
The Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, thanked the Principal Judge for her guidance, noting that it,together with the input of the Deputy Chief Justice and Chief Justice Emeritus, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo, has shaped the direction of this year's Annual Judges' Conference. He reaffirmed that the conference is judge-led, with JTI providing coordination and technical support.
Justice Prof. Khaukha explained that the ADR paper was developed under the leadership of Justice David Matovu, Head of the Criminal Division, with contributions from the JTI research team and the ADR Registry, all under the Principal Judge's direction. He added that the Conference will adopt a paperless model, with materials accessed through QR codes to enable timely and interactive engagement.
Themeeting also took note of progress across other conference panels, includingthose focusing on judicial wellness, artificial intelligence in theadministration of justice, and judicial leadership.
In her closing remarks, the Principal Judge reiterated that judicial wellness remains at the heart of the conference. She emphasised that success will be measured by whether judges leave the conference motivated to apply ADR effectively in their courtrooms, enhance docket management, and improve their overall judicial experience.
The meeting concluded with a focused discussion on proposed refinements to the ADR paper.
Present at the meeting were Justice David Matovu, Head Criminal Division; Justice Lawrence Tweyanze, Resident Judge, Kasese Circuit; Justice Nshimye Allan Paul Mbabazi, Head Mbarara Circuit (virtually); and Justice Tadeo Assimwe, Resident Judge, Mubende Circuit (virtually). Also in attendance were the Acting Registrar, Judicial Training Institute, HW Lillian Bucyana; the Personal Assistant to the Principal Judge, HW Edgar Nyakairu; HW Mallen Obizu (JTI); representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms.Margaret Nakigudde and Ms. Lillian Nanduwula; the Senior Communications Officer, Ms. Ruth Ashaba; and Mr. Tonny Luswata, Systems Administrator.
Posted 21st, January 2026
