Uganda And Zambia Chief Justices Visit Makerere Law School, Champion ADR and Legal Scholarship
The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, and the Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia, Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, yesterday paid a joint courtesy visit to Makerere University School of Law, where they engaged faculty members, students, and university leaders on the future of legal education, judicial reform, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Africa.
The visit formed part of Justice Malila’s official engagements in Uganda following his assumption of leadership of the Africa Chief Justices’ Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum (ACJADRF) and underscored the growing importance of collaboration between judiciaries and institutions of higher learning in advancing justice on the continent.
The two Chief Justices were received by the Dean of Makerere University School of Law, Prof Ronald Naluwairo, alongside faculty members and students
Speaking during the engagement, Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija described the visit as a homecoming, reflecting on his journey as both a student and lecturer at Makerere University School of Law.
He paid tribute to the institution for shaping generations of legal professionals and commended its decision to introduce Alternative Dispute Resolution as a standalone course.
“When we were in law school and later at the Law Development Centre, no one ever told us that disputes could be resolved through ADR. We were trained primarily for litigation. The introduction of ADR as a standalone course is a very important development,” Justice Zeija said.
The Chief Justice emphasized the vital role that legal scholars play in enriching judicial decision-making through research and scholarship. He cited the contribution of academics who have participated as amici curiae in landmark constitutional and electoral cases, helping to strengthen Uganda’s jurisprudence.
To deepen collaboration between the Judiciary and Makerere University, Justice Zeija revealed plans to formalize cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Judiciary, through the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), and the School of Law. The partnership is expected to focus on judicial training, legal research, and knowledge exchange.
Justice Mumba Malila, who previously served as a law lecturer at the University of Zambia, highlighted the relationship between academia and public service.
“I spent many years teaching law at the University of Zambia, and there is a unique sense of fulfillment in meeting former students who have gone on to become leaders and professionals,” he said.
Justice Malila commended Makerere University’s long-standing reputation as one of Africa’s leading institutions of higher learning, recalling how it earned recognition across the continent as the “Oxford of Africa.”
He welcomed the School of Law’s efforts to mainstream ADR education and described legal training institutions as critical partners in advancing access to justice.
“One of the objectives of the Africa Chief Justices’ ADR Forum is to encourage universities and training institutions to mainstream ADR. We want to reach a point where students can specialize in ADR and graduate as professional ADR practitioners,” Justice Malila said.
He noted that while traditional legal education has largely focused on adversarial litigation, the future of justice requires greater emphasis on mediation, negotiation, arbitration, and other collaborative methods of dispute resolution.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Prof Ronald Naluwairo congratulated Justice Malila on assuming leadership of the Africa Chief Justices’ ADR Forum and reaffirmed the School of Law’s commitment to supporting ADR initiatives across Africa.
Prof Naluwairo noted that many of Uganda’s leading legal figures, including the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, Attorney General, and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, are alumni of the institution.
“Our alumni continue to serve with distinction across the judiciary, government, academia, private practice, and international institutions. We are proud of the contribution Makerere has made to legal development in Uganda and beyond,” he said.
Deputy Dean Dr. Zahara Nampewo described the occasion as a rare privilege for the School of Law.
“It is not every day that a law school hosts two Chief Justices from different countries. We deeply appreciate your presence and the opportunity to engage with you,” she remarked.
Following their interaction with faculty members and students, the two Chief Justices paid a courtesy call on the university’s leadership and were received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Prof Henry M. Alinaitwe, who represented the Vice Chancellor.
Prof Alinaitwe welcomed the delegation and commended the continued collaboration between institutions of higher learning and the justice sector.
Addressing the university leadership, Justice Malila reiterated his admiration for Makerere University’s contribution to Africa’s intellectual and professional development. “Makerere University has built a remarkable international reputation over many years. Its graduates have become ambassadors of the institution through their character, professionalism, and leadership. The university has every reason to be proud of its legacy,” he said.
The visit concluded with the exchange of commemorative gifts.
Posted 15th, June 2026
