Court of Appeal Settles 23 Appeals Through Mediation, Boosts Programme with 11 New Mediators
The Court of Appeal has reported significant progress in the use of appellate mediation, fully settling 23 appeals during the recently concluded Appellate Mediation Fortnight and expanding its mediation programme with the addition of 11 experienced mediators.
The two-week Case Settlement Fortnight, held from June 1 to 16, 2026, was part of the Court’s continued efforts to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a faster, less costly and more amicable means of resolving appeals.
Out of the 100 appeals cause-listed for mediation, 23 were fully settled; the equivalent of a civil appellate session; while mediation was unsuccessful in 32 matters. A further 56 appeals remain under active mediation and are expected to continue beyond the fortnight.
The mediation sessions were conducted by Justices of the Court of Appeal under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, with the support of Justice Richard Buteera (Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus), Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire (Court Administrator), retired Justice Remmy Kasule and Registrars of the Court.
Presenting a report during a meeting of the Court’s Justices yesterday, HW Zulaika Nanteza, Deputy Registrar Appellate Mediation, said the mediation exercise was successfully conducted with strong participation from advocates and their clients, contributing to the smooth running of the programme.
She also reported growing confidence in appellate mediation, revealing that the Court currently has 266 appeals pending under mediation. And encouraged continued referral of suitable cases to the programme.
In a further boost to the initiative, the Court Administrator, Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, announced that the Court had received 11 additional accredited mediators to strengthen the appellate mediation programme.
The newly attached mediators include Chief Justice Emeritus Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny - Dollo, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, retired Supreme Court Justice Eldad Mwangusya, and retired Court of Appeal Justice Remmy Kasule. Others include Advocates; Mr Francis Atoke, Mr Francis Gimara, Senior Counsel, Ms Ruth Sebatindira Senior Counsel, Mr Norah Winyi Matovu, Mr George Omunyukol, Mr Maxim Mutabingwa and Mr Anaclet Turyakira.
Justice Richard Buteera, Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus, continues to serve as one of the Court’s accredited mediators.
Justice Kiryabwire further informed the meeting that dedicated mediation rooms have been established at the Court with support from the Judiciary’s Top Management, providing an enabling environment for the expanding mediation programme.
The Justices also discussed strategies to further increase the uptake of Alternative Dispute Resolution at the appellate level. Closing the meeting, the Deputy Chief Justice congratulated the Justices and the mediation team on the achievements recorded during the settlement fortnight and commended them for their commitment to improving access to justice through mediation.
Posted 1st, July 2026
