Judiciary to train 450 case mediators
Justice David K Wangutusi (L) addresses court users at the Kabale High Court premises on Wednesday. Right is the Kabale resident Judge Justice Michael Elubu. PHOTO by ROBERT MUHEREZA.
KABALE-At least 450 people of proven integrity are to be trained by the Judiciary to mediate in civil court disputes in order to reduce the backlog in courts and promote reconciliation among the wrangling parties.
The head of the High Court’s Commercial Division, Justice David Wangutusi, revealed this on Wednesday while meeting court users at Kabale High Court. He also said Shs100,000 will be paid to the mediators for every three cases completed.
“Mediation keeps people together, while litigation fuels hatred and divisions amongst the involved parties. Lawyers should encourage and guide their clients for mediation instead of promising them impossibilities in cases of water-tight judgments,” Justice Wangutusi said.
He also advised the parties involved in the mediation to refrain from cases where they have personal interests. He said the mediation should be stopped once corruption is detected.
The assistant registrar for mediation at the Commercial Court, Mr Vincent Emmy Mugabo, said: “Mediation in civil court cases and plea bargaining for criminal cases shall help in promoting harmony and unity among parties involved, besides reducing congestion in government prisons and backlog of cases in courts. This process shall help the parties to resolve the matter at minimum costs as court shall facilitate the mediation process.”
The resident judge at Kabale High Court, Justice Michael Elubu, praised the Judiciary for the initiative, saying it will benefit both the judicial officers and the community.
