UCLF Team Pays Courtesy Call On Deputy Chief Justice, Explores Collaboration On ADR and Access to Justice
A team from the Uganda Christian Lawyers’ Fraternity (UCLF) today paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, at the Court of Appeal in Kampala to update him on the fraternity’s programmes and explore opportunities for collaboration in advancing access to justice.
The delegation was led by Mr Arthur Ayorekire, Vice President of UCLF, and comprised Dr Barbara Kitui, Secretary General; Mr Albert Collins Kyeyune, Treasurer; Mr Martin Sabiiti Rwabihurwa, Chief Executive Officer; Ms Winnie Walakira; and HW Olupot Pascal. Also present was HW Mwanja Brian, Personal Assistant to the Deputy Chief Justice and a member of the Fraternity.
The meeting focused on strengthening engagement between UCLF and the Judiciary while highlighting the fraternity’s initiatives aimed at promoting justice, community service and professional development within the legal fraternity.
Briefing the Deputy Chief Justice, the team outlined UCLF’s ongoing programmes, including its efforts to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as an effective mechanism for enhancing access to justice and resolving disputes in a timely and cost-effective manner.
The members proposed closer collaboration between the Judiciary and scholars such as historians and anthropologists to document African customary practices. They noted that such documentation would preserve indigenous legal traditions while providing judicial officers with reliable reference material when determining matters involving customary law.
The delegation also discussed the challenges of harmonising customary justice systems with the formal justice system, particularly in criminal matters, and underscored the need for continued dialogue, research and policy development in this area.
The Deputy Chief Justice was further briefed on UCLF’s mentorship programme, through which the fraternity partners with universities to mentor law students, provide counselling and spiritual support, and introduce them to professional fellowship early in their legal careers. Members also highlighted the fraternity’s community outreach activities, including ongoing outreach programmes in Kasokoso aimed at supporting vulnerable communities.
They also updated Justice Kazibwe on the Justice House Project, an initiative intended to establish a permanent home for the fraternity and strengthen its long-term sustainability. The UCLF team further noted that Fraternity has continued to expand its footprint through the establishment of regional branches, including in Kasese and Gulu.
The Deputy Chief Justice welcomed the delegation and commended UCLF for its continued contribution to promoting justice, professional ethics and community support.
He particularly applauded the fraternity for embracing Alternative Dispute Resolution and pledged to support efforts to increase the number of trained mediators within UCLF. He also expressed support for facilitating the fraternity’s enrolment into the Alternative Justice System (AJS), observing that religious leaders have an important role to play in promoting reconciliation, mediation and peaceful dispute resolution within communities.
Justice Kazibwe further commended the UCLF’s mentorship programme, noting that community-based mentorship has diminished over time despite its importance in shaping responsible citizens and professionals.
He emphasised that young people should be guided and nurtured early in life, observing that mentorship contributes significantly to the development of values, integrity and ethical leadership.
The Deputy Chief Justice also welcomed the fraternity’s expansion into different regions of the country, saying it presents an opportunity to extend its impact to more communities. He encouraged UCLF to continue strengthening its visibility, programmes and outreach initiatives while developing a formal constitution to provide a clear framework for its governance, operations and future growth.
Background
The Uganda Christian Lawyers’ Fraternity (UCLF) was established in 1986 as a fellowship of Christian law students before being registered as a non-governmental organisation in 2005. It has since grown into a network of more than 500 Christian legal professionals drawn from the Judiciary and other administration of justice institutions, the academia and private legal practice, working together to promote justice, integrity, mentorship and community service
Posted 21st, July 2026
