Chief Justice urges Muslim clerics to champion Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms

By Abdul Wahid Kakande

The judiciary has in a historic move hosted the Muslim community to its first ever iftar dinner at its headquarters in Kampala, marking a significant moment of unity and spiritual reflection during the holy month of Ramadhan.

The inaugural iftar dinner, held Friday February 28, 2026, was spearheaded by the judiciary Muslim association which brings together all Muslim staffers both judicial and non-judicial in the institution.

Several high profile Muslims in the country including the first Deputy Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa were among the guests that were treated to a sumptuous iftar dinner.

Presiding over the spiritual event, Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija underscored the importance of the gathering noting that it reaffirmed the values that bind judicial officers in the courtrooms.

“We are defined by our adversarial roles or our impartial mandates. But tonight, we gather as a community reminded by the spirit of the holy month of Ramadhan that our shared humanity and our shared commitments to the truth precedes orders, the principle of this foreign month to which patience, self-discipline and deep reflection are remarkably similar to the virtues of our role that requires us to set aside personal bias in favour of common good,” Zeija said.

Zeija said the iftar dinner reaffirmed the judiciary’s shared values, justice, dignity, accountability and unity in service to the people.

“May this holy month of Ramadhan be a firm reminder to us all that this creed refines character,” Zeija said.

Zeija noted that justice must be branded not only in law but in conscience as the noble Quran commands.

“Our nation remains both unified, therefore national cohesion must commend religious leaders for playing an indispensable role in promoting social harmony, moral guidance and peaceful resolution,” Zeija noted.

He urged the Muslim clerics to champion Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms such as mediation and reconciliation to complement the formal justice system as they foster restorative outcomes.

Using an example of when a district Kadhi in Masaka helped him to resolve an inheritance case under the Islamic law by guiding him on the shares for each beneficiary in an estate, Zeija underscored the importance of the clergy in dispute resolution.

“It was an amazing moment for me because I was schooled by the district Kadhi on the matter. So, Muslim clerics actually play a very big role in resolving disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms and that is why we are training them to ensure that they help us,” Zeija said.

The Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo said the iftar dinner marked more than a gathering for Muslims to break the fast but a celebration of innovation, inclusivity and unity within the judiciary.

“It is a reflection of our commitment to embracing diversity, strengthening collegiality and fostering an environment where all judicial officers regardless of their faith feel recognised and respected,” Abodo said.

Dr Pius Bigirimana, the Judiciary permanent secretary, encouraged Muslim judicial officers to mentor the young ones.

“I think it is important as Muslims to come together to support each other, mentor the young ones specially to make them understand that they are judicial officers who must have morals to serve with integrity,” Bigirimana said.

Bigirimana said he cleared the event because even the Christian fraternity have been given space to pray.

Court of Appeal judge Musa Ssekaana, also the patron of the judiciary Muslim association, said the association brings together not only Muslim judicial officers but all the Muslim judiciary staffers and friends.

Ssekaana commended the judiciary top management for accepting to host the dinner, urging them to formalise it on the judiciary calendar just like the executive and parliament, the two other arms of Government.

He said formalising the day will affirm the judiciary’s commitment to religious harmony, boost morale and self-engagement and align with the country’s functional values of equality and freedom of worship.

The judiciary muslim association Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation (SACCO) has also been launched.