Justice Adonyo, Judge Behind Controversial Ham vs. DTB Syndicated Loans Ruling, Now Mediator in Similar Dei vs Equity Bank Row Justice (Rtd) Dr. Henry Peter Adonyo, whose controversial 2020 Ham vs DTB ruling reshaped debates on cross-border syndicated lending, is now mediating the high-stakes Dei vs Equity Bank dispute. For Uganda’s banking and legal sectors, it is a development loaded with irony, symbolism, and potential consequences — but for Justice Adonyo, now in private practice as a consultant, it is also an opportunity to redeem his legacy.

Retired Justice Dr. Henry Peter Adonyo has been appointed mediator in High Court matter HCT-00-CC-ME-0348-2025, pitting Dei Industries International Ltd against Equity Bank Uganda Ltd. The case, filed in 2024, had been allocated to Lady Justice Susan Abinyo of the Commercial Division, but on September 9, 2025, it went into mediation, with Justice Adonyo taking charge of the process. The next sitting is scheduled for September 24, 2025. Mediation is intended to resolve disputes amicably without going through the adversarial system. If the parties reach an agreement, it is adopted by the court. If it fails, the case reverts to…