Namibia, Uganda chief justices discuss legal reform

Uganda's Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo visited Namibia's Chief Justice Peter Shivute at the Supreme Court on Friday as part of a courtesy visit. The meeting, squeezed into Owiny-Dollo's busy itinerary, occurred during his time in Namibia to learn about sustainable charcoal production. Uganda has faced severe environmental damage from irregular and uncontrolled charcoal production, halted by a presidential decree. Owiny-Dollo’s visit, organized with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aimed to draw lessons from Namibia’s advanced charcoal industry, which promotes environmental sustainability and economic development.Shivute expressed hope that Owiny-Dollo’s tour of Namibia’s mausassa and charcoal industries was enlightening. During their meeting, Shivute extended an invitation for Owiny-Dollo to return to Namibia, particularly to share Uganda's experiences with plea bargaining. Shivute emphasized the need for Namibia to adopt this practice, which expedites the resolution of criminal cases and alleviates court backlogs. He praised Uganda’s progress with plea bargaining, saying, “The introduction of plea bargaining in Namibia is an idea whose time has long come.”Both justices acknowledged the importance of the African Chief Justice’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum (ACJAF), which aims to reduce case backlogs and promote efficient judicial administration across the continent. Shivute commended Owiny-Dollo’s decisive role in establishing the forum and highlighted Namibia’s active participation.In response, Owiny-Dollo lauded Shivute's leadership in expanding the Southern African Chief Justices Forum to include East Africa, forming the South and East African Chief Justices Forum. He emphasized the importance of African nations reclaiming their heritage through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Owiny-Dollo noted that in Uganda, traditional legal systems resolve the majority of disputes informally. He suggested formalizing these systems to enhance their efficacy while preserving their essence.Owiny-Dollo also shared insights from his recent visit to Zambia, where alternative dispute resolution has successfully facilitated mining-related solutions. Drawing comparisons, he cited the United States, where plea bargaining resolves up to 96% of criminal cases, while most civil disputes are settled through negotiation, arbitration, and mediation. He stressed the economic advantages of quick dispute resolution, remarking, “No investor wants to wait two years or more for a decision, but if a dispute can be settled favorably or not within six months, then they will come and invest.”The discussions underscored the shared commitment of the two chief justices to judicial reform, legal innovation, and sustainable development across Africa.

Namibia, Uganda chief justices discuss legal reform

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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Namibia, Uganda chief justices discuss legal reform

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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