The Family Justice Summit has officially been opened by the Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera at the Supreme Court Conference Hall on 12th August and runs until the 13th of August 2024
The summit is being held under the theme “ Alternative Dispute Resolution as an enabler to promoting effective and Harmonizing co-existence in families and communities".
The Keynote Speaker will be the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya Lady Justice Martha Koome addressing participants on the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Justice.
The summit will involve sessions that are intended to explore the applications of the new changes in the succession Law, navigate the place of Alternative Dispute Resolution in settlement of Family Disputes and identify policy areas for reform.
Today’s presentations will be made on the Alternative Dispute Resolution on Alternative Justice System as a family cohesion tool in the resolution of criminal disputes, Estate planning in Uganda Adopting ADR as a best practice in the management of estates and the Impact of technology and pandemics on estates planning in advancing the significance of ADR.
In his opening speech the Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera mentioned the success of the Case settlement week where over 200 cases where disposed off. Saying that such cases would ordinarily have taken months of hearing and writing of judgements. "It is clear that ADR leads to faster conclusion of cases, since there are no appeals and that reduces backlog in both lower and Appellate courts ", he stated.
He said that this being a family summit, the aspect of family needs should be put in perspective, the family is the natural and basic needs of the society. It is important to nurture and maintain family and thus everyone’s duty in ensuring harmonious and co-existence of families.
The Swedish Ambassador, Ms Maria Hakkanson said that the summit is timely as it seeks to respond the people’s needs under family justice.
Justice Musa Ssekaana who represented the Principal Judge mentioned that when cases have been amicably resolved , there is a win-win for all involved, peace prevails in the family, in the community and consequently in the nation, therefore, in order to help families stay united, courts should generally embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He said that the summit would enable participants share ideas on how to use ADR in family disputes.
The Vice President Uganda Law Society Martin Asingwire emphasized that there should be summits and trainings both for the lawyers and also the citizens as they would be beneficial for them to unlearn the stiff practice that they knew before so that they can encourage ADR in family justice.
The summit has been attended by Judicial officers, Court accredited mediators and stakeholders from the Justice Law and Order Sector. Others include Development partners who include representatives from ADC, IDLO, UNODC, UNDP and the Swedish embassy.
The Director of the Program is the Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu.
Article Courtesy of Patience Kengoro & Danielle Nalukenge