Agency
The Judiciary has launched a major rollout of Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) training in the Acholi Sub-region, in a move aimed at expanding access to justice through community-based mechanisms.
The training, which began on Monday in Gulu City, has brought together judicial officers, local leaders, ADR/AJS practitioners, justice sector actors, and community representatives. It is intended to promote people-centred approaches to dispute resolution while easing pressure on the formal court system.
Speaking at the opening, the Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, described the engagement as timely, noting that the Acholi Sub-region continues to face significant justice challenges.
Court data presented during the meeting highlighted a growing case backlog in the region.
The Gulu High Court Circuit alone has about 939 pending cases, with land disputes accounting for nearly 42 per cent.
Other courts in the sub-region, including Kitgum and Patongo, also reported significant numbers of unresolved cases at 294 and 213, respectively.
The Principal Judge outlined the types of disputes suitable for AJS, including family matters, inheritance, land and boundary conflicts, and minor civil disputes.
However, she cautioned that serious criminal cases such as rape, defilement, domestic violence, and land fraud must remain within the formal justice system.
