The central focus of the lecture was ADR, an approach that is preferred to litigation. Prof. Sam Rugege underscored the significance of restorative justice particularly in the context of post-genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, where reconciliation played a pivotal role in the nation’s reconstruction.

Addressing an audience comprising ILPD staff and newly admitted students from diverse African countries such as The Gambia, Gabon, Cameroon, Ghana, Sudan, and Rwanda, Prof. Sam Rugege delved into the historical roots of mediation in African customary law. He highlighted the disruption introduced by the colonizers and their imposition of a judicial system that is solely based on litigation.

To illustrate the advantages of reconciliation, he elaborated on an eloquent example involving a dispute between a patient and a hospital. The decision to amicably resolve the conflict not only averted negative publicity and legal consequences but also met the satisfaction of all parties involved.

Prof. Sam Rugege also delved into the new criminal procedure code law, which permits public prosecutors and investigators to act as mediators in certain offenses. This innovative approach aims to expedite dispute resolution while fortifying the culture of mediation within the courts.

The conference is a pivotal component within a series of public lectures orchestrated by ILPD, a distinguished institution celebrated for its multifaceted teaching approach, skillfully blending theoretical lectures, practical exercises, and assignments. It provided attendees, particularly students, with an enriching perspective on alternative dispute resolution methods, a vital aspect in modern legal practice.