The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has called on communities in the Acholi sub-region to adopt out-of-court mechanisms in resolving land disputes, emphasizing their speed, accessibility, and cultural relevance.

Speaking on Thursday while presiding over a court open day at the Gulu High Court Circuit, Justice Abodo noted that the majority of cases in the region are land-related, many involving boundary disagreements that could be more effectively resolved within communities.

She stressed the importance of strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which the Judiciary is actively promoting. According to her, not all land conflicts require formal court litigation, yet many parties still turn to courts while overlooking the value of local knowledge and long-standing community memory.

Her remarks followed concerns raised by residents during the open day, with many citing delays, high costs, and procedural complexities within the formal justice system.

Statistics from the Gulu High Court indicate that as of April 16, 2026, the court had a total of 1,857 cases, of which 790 are land-related—underscoring the scale of the challenge and the need for alternative solutions.

Justice Abodo’s call highlights a growing push within Uganda’s Judiciary to promote community-based conflict resolution as a practical way to ease case backlogs and improve access to justice.

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