New Approach to Justice in Uganda

Written by: Dr. Smith Kizza

In Uganda, justice has often been linked to courtrooms, legal battles, and punishment.

However, a new approach is slowly changing this mindset—one that focuses on healing, accountability, and rebuilding relationships.

This shift is being led by Dr. Smith Kiiza, whose recent training on restorative justice is helping people see conflict in a different way. ‎

The training was held at Kampala International University under the Centre for African Peace and Conflict Resolution.

It brought together people from different fields such as law, education, community leadership, and civil society.

The goal was to introduce a justice system that goes beyond punishment and focuses on repairing harm. ‎

At the core of restorative justice is a simple but powerful idea. When harm happens, the response should not only be about punishing the offender, but also about fixing the damage caused to people and relationships.

During the training, participants were encouraged to ask different questions. Instead of asking “Who is guilty and how should they be punished?”, they were guided to ask: What harm was caused? Who was affected? And how can the harm be repaired? ‎‎

According to Dr. Kiiza, this shift is important for building stronger communities. “Justice should not only punish wrongdoing—it should heal people and restore relationships. When we listen and understand each other, we create lasting solutions,” he said. ‎

This approach turns justice into a process of dialogue and understanding. It allows both the victim and the offender to be heard, creating space for healing and reconciliation. ‎‎

The training itself was highly interactive. Participants did not just listen to lectures—they actively took part. They worked in groups, acted out real-life situations, and practiced guided discussions.

Each person had a chance to play different roles, including facilitator, victim, and offender. This helped them understand every side of a conflict. ‎

One student shared how the experience changed their thinking: “This training has changed how I see justice. It is no longer about winning or losing—it is about understanding each other and finding a way forward.” ‎

This approach comes at an important time. Uganda’s justice system faces challenges such as delays, many cases, and limited access for some communities.

In many places, unresolved conflicts can grow into bigger problems. Restorative justice offers a solution by resolving issues faster, involving those directly affected, and promoting long-term peace. ‎

Another strength of restorative justice is that it fits well with traditional African values. In the past, many Ugandan communities used elders, dialogue, and collective decision-making to solve conflicts. Dr. Kiiza’s work brings back these values in a modern and structured way. ‎‎

The training has also created a new group of facilitators who are ready to take these ideas into their communities. They will help mediate disputes, support victims, guide offenders, and rebuild trust among community members. ‎

Interest in this approach is already growing beyond Uganda, with people from other African countries and parts of Asia showing interest. This positions Uganda as a leader in restorative justice in the region. ‎

More importantly, this is not just a new method- it is a new way of thinking. It encourages people to listen instead of judge, understand instead of blame, and repair instead of revenge. ‎

As more trainings take place and communities adopt this approach, restorative justice could transform how conflicts are handled in Uganda.

It offers a future where justice is not only delivered, but also felt and understood by everyone involved.