KAMPALA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has extended warm congratulations to His Lordship the Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, commending his profound journey of service to the nation and highlighting his pivotal role in fostering unity and transforming Uganda's justice system.
Reflecting on the nation's turbulent past, President Museveni emphasized the sacrifices made to build the force that opposed Idi Amin and restored stability. "After such sacrifices," the President questioned pointedly, "how could we repeat the same tribal mistakes?" He directly addressed the false narrative propagated in Northern Uganda in 1986 that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was anti-Acholi.
"The truth is, I fought against Amin, who was responsible for the deaths of many Langi and Acholi people," President Museveni stated, underscoring the contradiction in such claims. He praised individuals like the then-recently graduated Owiny-Dollo, who demonstrated exceptional courage and foresight. "People like Owiny-Dollo... defied these false narratives," the President said, crediting the Chief Justice for playing a crucial role in forming vital new alliances for the NRM in the North during a critical period.
President Museveni lauded Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo's distinguished career, asserting he has "excelled in his role." He specifically highlighted what he termed Owiny-Dollo's "greatest achievement": the championing and institutionalization of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms within Uganda's legal framework.
"This indigenization of justice through ADR," President Museveni emphasized, "brings our valuable cultural wisdom directly into the heart of the legal system." He framed this innovation not just as a practical solution for decongesting courts, but as a profound integration of Ugandan tradition and customary conflict resolution methods into the formal administration of justice.
The President's message serves as both a tribute to Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo's personal dedication and a reaffirmation of the NRM's historical commitment to national unity and the contextual evolution of Uganda's institutions. It positions the Chief Justice as a key figure in reconciling the nation's past divisions and shaping a justice system that resonates with Ugandan heritage.
