Kampala, Uganda — In a pivotal gathering aimed at transforming Africa’s commercial justice landscape, judicial leaders from across the continent and beyond convened at the Speke Resort in Kampala for a high-level summit of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC).
The three-day event, held under the theme “Effective Commercial Dispute Resolution for Africa”, brought together Chief Justices, legal practitioners, and dispute resolution experts from 31 countries to chart a path toward more efficient and investment-friendly judicial systems.
At the heart of the discussions was a resounding call to mainstream Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms as a strategic tool for unlocking economic potential and fostering investor confidence across Africa.
Uganda’s Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, opened the summit with a rallying message for African jurisdictions to embrace ADR as a practical and time-saving alternative to traditional litigation.
Drawing inspiration from the United States where over 95 percent of commercial disputes are resolved through ADR Justice Dollo showcased Uganda’s progress in this arena, including a recent ADR week during which 237 civil cases were amicably resolved.
“Our courts are often bogged down by delays, corruption, and high legal costs,” Justice Dollo said. “By investing in ADR, we not only enhance access to justice but also build investor confidence in our economies.”
The urgency of judicial reform was echoed by Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, who served as Chief Guest.
Mao tied effective dispute resolution to broader economic transformation, noting that as Uganda transitions to a lower-middle-income economy, a responsive and efficient judiciary is vital for attracting both local and foreign investment.
“Economic growth thrives on legal certainty,” Mao said. “We must continue to digitize, professionalize, and hold our judiciary accountable to ensure justice serves as a foundation for prosperity.”
Mao highlighted the judiciary’s ongoing digital transformation, including an electronic case management system and automated court processes, as critical reforms aligned with Uganda’s development goals.
Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija added another layer to the conversation, pointing to the growing backlog in commercial cases as a shared challenge among African courts.
He advocated for a model that integrates ADR into formal court processes, rather than viewing it as a parallel system.
“Specialized commercial courts alone cannot fix the problem,” Zeija noted. “We need to embed ADR into our legal cultures and strengthen global partnerships to foster consistency and trust in our systems.”
The Kampala summit provided a rare opportunity for African Chief Justices to pool their collective wisdom, share best practices, and identify key institutional and legislative reforms necessary to support ADR.
Participants also called for sustained investment in judicial training, infrastructure, and cross-border cooperation.
The outcomes from the Kampala deliberations will feed into the 6th SIFoCC Global Meeting in New Delhi in November 2025, where African jurisdictions will showcase their innovations and progress in dispute resolution.
This year’s forum follows resolutions from the March 2024 African Chief Justices’ Forum, which recommended regular regional summits to promote ADR integration and policy reform.
Founded in 2016, SIFoCC now connects commercial courts from 57 jurisdictions across six continents.
Its mission is to foster collaboration and confront common challenges in international dispute resolution.
Uganda’s active participation in the forum signals its rising profile in the global conversation on judicial reform and economic transformation.
As the sun sets on the Kampala summit, one message rings clear: for Africa to truly rise, it must build justice systems that are swift, fair, and fit for purpose in a competitive global economy.
And at the center of that vision is a renewed commitment to Alternative Dispute Resolution.
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