Chief Justice Flags Off Judiciary Mentorship Programme as Western Region training comes to a close
The Chief Justice, Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny – Dollo, on Friday, officially launched the Judiciary’s new Mentorship and Guidance Programme for Judicial Officers as he closed the Western Region Judicial Officers’ Training on Case Management, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and Judgment Writing.
The mentorship programme was aimed at enhancing judicial effectiveness and fostering professional development through practical and result-oriented learning.
This was the climax of a week-long training, held at Las Vegas Garden Hotel in Mbarara City which was organised by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) in partnership with the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).
In his address at the closing, the Chief Justice emphasised the need for purposeful, outcome-driven training that directly impacts judicial performance.
“Judicial training must not be done for the sake of it. It should not be because funds are available. It must be deliberate, with a clear link to improved case management and expeditious case disposal,” he stated.
He proposed a system of annual minimum training hours for all judicial officers to institutionalise continuous legal education. He also reminded participants of their central role in the Judiciary’s transformation agenda.
“You are the software of the Judiciary. Our buildings are the hardware—but it is you who give life to this institution,” the Chief Justice said.
During the ceremony, the Chief Justice officially commissioned participants as accredited mediators under the court-accredited mediation programme. He tasked them to apply their skills immediately by identifying suitable cases for mediation in their stations.
“This commissioning is not ceremonial. Go back and put your training to work. Shift from backlog to balance, from delay to delivery,” he urged.
In a landmark development, he also unveiled a structured mentorship programme that will pair junior officers with retired and senior judges to foster professional growth, strengthen leadership, and entrench judicial values.
Training with a Purpose
Lady Justice Okuo Jane Kajuga, the Acting Principal Judge, participated in the training as a member of the faculty and commended the depth and structure of the sessions. She lauded the alignment of the programme with the Judiciary’s strategic goals, particularly in mediation, arbitration, and leadership.
“This training has been impactful. I joined the sessions for two days and actively engaged with the faculty. We were training with a purpose this time,” she said.
She challenged the participants to return with a “game plan” grounded in data from court performance reviews and statistics.
“Confidence comes from competence, and competence is built through training,” she stressed.
Stakeholder Commitments
Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), commended the Chief Justice for institutionalising ADR, describing it as a legacy reform that is transforming Uganda’s justice system.
“You have made it difficult for us to ever forget you, because we shall always remember there was a Chief Justice who gave ADR a home,” she remarked.
She reaffirmed the DPP’s commitment to partnering with the Judiciary in promoting ADR within the criminal justice process.
“Since most of the process begins and ends with prosecutors and magistrates, collaboration is essential,” she noted.
Justice Andrew Khaukha, the Executive Director of JTI, reflected on the growth of judicial training and thanked the Chief Justice for his vision and support, particularly referencing a benchmarking mission to Tanzania and Kenya that inspired institutional reforms at JTI. He pledged to ensure better communication and predictability in future trainings, with officers being notified at least six months in advance.
HW Pamella Lamunu Ocaya, the Acting Chief Registrar, underscored the role of ADR not just as a judicial innovation, but as a means of restoring peace and harmony in communities.
“ADR is not merely a case management tool. It is a form of peacebuilding, bringing lasting resolution to our people,” she said.
She thanked the faculty, organisers, and support teams and called on participants to return re-energised and ready to make a difference in justice delivery.
Distinguished Participation and Curriculum
The training attracted judicial officers from across the Western region, including Judges of the High Court, Registrars, Chief Magistrates, and Magistrates Grade One. The closing ceremony was graced by key Judiciary figures, including Ms. Maureen Kasande, the Under Secretary; Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Justice of the Court of Appeal; and the JTI faculty led by Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus, Justice Richard Buteera.
The intensive one-week programme was experiential, hands-on, and immediately applicable. Key training modules included:
Judgment Writing: Crafting decisions with clarity, coherence, and sound legal reasoning.
Case Management: Docket control, effective scheduling, leadership in court operations, and strategies for reducing delays.
ADR Techniques: Pre-trial mediation, civil and criminal ADR, arbitration, and practical simulations.
Judicial Leadership and Ethics: Developing leadership skills and ethical grounding among judicial officers.
Research and Reference Skills: Leveraging the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII) to improve legal research and the quality of judgments.
The training was facilitated by a distinguished panel of serving and retired judicial officers and legal professionals, including Justice Richard Buteera (DCJ Emeritus), Justice Dr. Yorokamu Bamwine (PJ Emeritus), Justice David Wangutusi (retired Head, Commercial Division), Justice Andrew Khaukha (JTI), Senior Counsel Francis Gimara, HW Joel Wegoye, HW Gladys Nakibuule Kisseka, HW Esther Nasambu, HW Obizu Mallen, and HW Nakato Josephine Dembe.
HW Lillian Bucyana, Acting Registrar of JTI, and HW Murungi Esther coordinated the programme. Moderators included HW Nanteza Zulaika (Deputy Registrar, ADR Registry) and Justice Andrew Khaukha.