Gambian chief justice Hassan Bubacar Jallow and his Ugandan counterpart Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo Thursday met to exchange ideas on strengthening judicial cooperation and expanding the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms between the two countries.

The meeting took place at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala ahead of the inaugural Africa Continent Commercial Courts Summit scheduled for May 23 to 24, 2025, at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

The summit, jointly organized by the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC) and the Africa Chief Justices ADR Forum, is expected to draw sitting and retired Chief Justices, legal practitioners, and ADR experts from across the continent.

Over two days, participants will exchange experiences and explore innovations in commercial dispute resolution.

During their engagement, Chief Justices Owiny-Dollo and Jallow agreed on joint training for ADR practitioners and a cross-border judicial exchange programme that would allow judges to mediate cases across jurisdictions and share best practices in dispute resolution.

Justice Jallow praised Uganda’s progress in institutionalizing ADR, calling it “a home away from home” and expressing gratitude for what he described as a brotherly relationship between the two judiciaries.

He also commended the rapid growth of the Africa Chief Justices ADR Forum in its first year.

The two leaders also discussed the upcoming Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Conference to be held in The Gambia later this year.

Justice Jallow extended an invitation to Owiny-Dollo, urging him to play a leading role in discussions on ADR at the gathering.

After the meeting, the visiting delegation toured the Supreme Court and met Hon. Justice Richard Buteera, Deputy Chief Justice Emeritus and Chairperson of Uganda’s Court Accredited Mediators.

Justice Buteera highlighted the judiciary’s ongoing reform efforts under Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo’s leadership, including case settlement weeks and expanded plea bargaining.

He cited a landmark plea bargain that resolved the prosecution of one of the suspects in the murder of the late prosecutor Joan Kagezi, resulting in a 35-year sentence.

Buteera said ADR would remain a pillar of the judiciary’s transformation and called for its integration into university legal curricula, with professors taking on more practical training roles.

The Gambian delegation concluded the visit by praising Uganda’s legal infrastructure and commitment to justice reform and innovation.