LIRA, Uganda – In a major policy shift aimed at easing pressure on formal courts and reviving culturally grounded dispute resolution mechanisms, the Judiciary has rolled out the Alternative Justice System (AJS) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programme in the Lango Sub-region.
The initiative, launched on Tuesday at Margaritha Palace Hotel in Lira City, seeks to decongest courts, reduce legal costs, and foster reconciliation through community-based mechanisms that operate alongside the formal justice system.
Presiding over the launch, Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, who represented Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, said the Judiciary is committed to a justice system that is affordable, faster, culturally legitimate, restorative, and anchored in constitutional and human rights principles.
“Land, family, and civil disputes should, where appropriate, first be handled at clan and community level before escalation to formal courts if unresolved,” she said, cautioning that traditional justice mechanisms must remain consistent with the Constitution.
The rollout included training of judicial officers, cultural leaders, religious leaders, and civil society actors, organised by the Judicial Training Institute in collaboration with the ADR Registry. The newly issued Judicature (Court Annexed Mediation) Rules 2026, S.I No. 14/26, were also disseminated to standardise mediation and strengthen court-annexed dispute resolution.
Senior Resident Judge for the Gulu Circuit, Justice Phillip Odoki, explained that AJS is designed to revive Africa’s traditional justice systems that existed before colonial rule, emphasising reconciliation, social cohesion, and swift resolution of disputes.
He noted that the English adversarial system introduced during colonial administration led to delays, high costs, and strained relationships due to its rigid procedures.
Justice Odoki clarified that AJS operates as a community-based and, in some cases, faith-based system distinct from formal ADR mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration. It may function independently or through court referrals.
Under Article 126 of the Constitution, he added, courts are required to deliver justice in a manner that promotes reconciliation and reflects the aspirations of the people. Cases referred to AJS must meet two key conditions: consent of the parties and compliance with constitutional and human rights standards, with a warning against discrimination or cruel punishments.
While serious criminal cases may remain within formal courts, he said, reconciliation achieved through AJS may be considered during sentencing.
Paramount Chief of Lango, His Highness Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, welcomed the Judiciary’s move, describing Lango as a post-conflict society still dealing with trauma and unresolved disputes arising from decades of instability.
“Despite the end of armed conflict, many communities continue to rely on cultural institutions for justice, with only a small percentage of disputes reaching formal courts,” he said.
Okune explained that forgiveness and reconciliation remain central in Lango’s justice practices, with clan leaders handling land disputes, marriage conflicts, and even some criminal matters through traditional restorative processes. However, he warned that AJS must not be abused through corruption, land grabbing, or human rights violations, stressing the need to align cultural practices with constitutional standards.
Bishop Emeritus of West Lango Diocese, Bishop Alfred Acur Okodi, called for a justice approach that prioritises healing, rehabilitation, and restoration rather than punishment alone. He noted that some offenders may require psychological, social, or moral intervention and urged the justice system to create space for transformation and reintegration.
Former Solicitor General Emeritus Francis Atoke highlighted the growing shift towards forgiveness and mediation, noting that apology and reconciliation are increasingly being recognised as important tools in dispute resolution.
