KAMPALA– Uganda through the Judiciary, is set to host the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC) Africa Continental Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) commercial justice Summit, from 23rd to 24th May 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
“The summit has been organized with the view of finding means of improving Alternative Dispute Resolution both on African continent and globally. It will include Commercial mitigation, arbitration and mediation.” Remarked Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, the Chairperson organizing committee while addressing the press on Kampala, on Friday.
She also pointed out that this conference which will run under a theme “Effective commercial Dispute Resolution for Africa”, has been organized by African Chief Justices’ Alternative Dispute Resolution forum , in conjunction with standing international forum for commercial courts with support from Pepperdine University.
“African Chief Justices’ ADR forum was formed by the resolution of 16 Judiciary on 5th March 2024 , at their first ADR summit in Kampala.
Standing international forum for commercial Court (SIFoCC) inaugural meeting London 2017 with senior judges representing 25 jurisdiction by then. However, since then, the number has expanded to 28 from almost all continents.”
She further noted that ADR is an umbrella term used to resolve conflicts outside court without incurring more costs.
The Acting Chief Registrar, Her Worship Pamella Lamunu, revealed that the summit will equip legal professionals with skills and knowledge to support people through ADR process.
“To examine how ADR can address small challenges facing Commercial Courts, to establish a specialized faculty to develop ADR curriculum in training African judiciary.”
She added that on the first day , they expect 150 participants, who will include judges from member states ,10 judges from Uganda and 100 invited non Judicial officers
“On the second day, we expect participation of justice of supreme Court , Court of Appeal, High court Ugandan bar, officials from Ministry oof justice and Organizations in support of ADR.”
According to the organizers, the event will not only have speeches, but a number of panel discussions and dialogue whose outcomes will be shared in a meeting expected to be convened in November 2025.
