An Islamic NGO, the Muslim Centre for Justice (MCJ), has offered to train 20 sheikhs and imams in civil law at the Law Development Centre (LDC), so they can beef up services in the khadi courts.

The sheikhs start their training next year and will initially offer free legal aid in Kampala and Butambala. MCJ Executive Director Jaffer Senganda says they have committed themselves after a survey found that most sheikhs do not understand the country's statutory laws and human rights standards, which makes them stick to sharia.

Senganda hopes that with the training, the learned friends can help resolve at least 400 cases each year.