Uganda Commercial Court Launches Mediation for Shs187bn Banking Disputes
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TL;DR
- Uganda Commercial Court initiates mediation for 326 banking and credit disputes.
- Total disputed value is Shs187.65 billion.
- Mediation runs during Settlement Fortnight from May 18-29, 2026.
- Initiative aims to reduce backlog and support financial sector stability.
Overview
The Commercial Court of Uganda has launched a mediation initiative to address 326 banking and credit disputes valued at Shs187.65 billion. This step is part of the Settlement Fortnight, a focused effort to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and reduce case backlog in the Ugandan financial sector.
What Happened
During the Settlement Fortnight from May 18 to 29, 2026, the Commercial Court is facilitating mediation for 326 banking-related disputes collectively valued at Shs187.65 billion.
This initiative was announced at the Dedicated Banking Sector ADR Roundtable, attended by judicial officials, financial institution representatives, and regulators in Kampala.
Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor Michael Atingi-Ego emphasized that faster dispute resolution is key to maintaining financial stability and improving investor confidence in the banking sector.
The Uganda Bankers' Association urged financial institutions to further integrate ADR into their practices to enhance trust and lending resilience.
Judiciary officials highlighted that the Settlement Fortnight supports broader reforms to strengthen commercial justice and ensure more efficient capital flow.
Context
Settlement Fortnight is designed to accelerate the resolution of high-value commercial disputes and reduce backlog in Ugandan courts.
Delays in dispute resolution can lead to non-performing loans and capital being tied up, so there is significant sector pressure to find faster pathways such as mediation.
Why It Matters
- The mediation push aims to help banks recover funds from prolonged litigation and give borrowers a non-litigation pathway to settle debts.
- If successful, the exercise could improve case disposal rates, ease court congestion, and support wider financial sector stability in Uganda.