The Principal Judge, Jane Frances Abodo, has called on judicial officers, lawyers, and the public to embrace mediation as the primary approach to resolving family disputes, describing it as a faster, more cost-effective, and humane alternative to litigation.
Speaking at the launch of the Family Division Mediation Fortnight at the High Court Family Division, Justice Abodo said mediation not only helps reduce the backlog of court cases but also promotes healing, closure, and lasting peace within families.
She noted that unlike formal court proceedings, which mainly focus on determining legal rights, mediation seeks to restore relationships and encourage mutual understanding among disputing parties.
Justice Abodo urged judicial officers to introduce litigants to mediation at the earliest stage of their cases and encouraged lawyers to advise their clients to consider alternative dispute resolution before pursuing lengthy court processes.
The Head of the Family Division, John Eudes Keitirima, reaffirmed the division’s commitment to amicably resolving family disputes, emphasizing that mediation helps preserve family unity and prevents conflicts from escalating.
The Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Andrew Khaukha, commended the Family Division for its strong performance in promoting mediation and said ongoing reforms are aimed at strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms across the Judiciary, despite existing challenges.
By Edith Namwanje
7th July 2026
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