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Black Laws Matter: A Keynote Address by Dr. Busingye Kabumba

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BLACK LAWS MATTER

BENEDICTO KIWANUKA’S LEGACY AND THE RULE OF LAW IN THE ‘NEW NORMAL’

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

BY

DR. BUSINGYE KABUMBA,

LECTURER OF LAW, MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

AT THE 3RD BENEDICTO KIWANUKA MEMORIAL LECTURE

21ST SEPTEMBER, 2020

THE HIGH COURT, KAMPALA

My Lord The Hon. Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, The Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda,
The Hon. Bart Magunda Katureebe, The Chief Justice of the Republic of Uganda,
The Hon. The Deputy Chief Justice,
The Honorable Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs,
The Hon. The Principal Judge,
My Lords the Justices and Judges,
The Chief Registrar,
The Family of the Late Benedicto Kiwanuka,
Heads of JLOS Institutions,
Permanent Secretaries,
Your Worships,
The President of the Uganda Judicial Officers Association,
The President of the Uganda Law Society,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

1.0 Introduction

I thank the Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo for inviting me to give this lecture in memory of the first Ugandan Chief Justice of our country, the late Benedicto Kagimu Mugumba Kiwanuka.

I am deeply honoured to have been so invited. In the first place because of the immense stature of the man to whom this day is dedicated. Secondly, given the illustrious nature of the previous two key note speakers (Chief Justice Samuel William Wako Wambuzi – threetime Chief Justice of Uganda and Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, the first Chief Justice of Kenya under the 2010 Constitution of that country).

I am keenly aware of the trust exemplified by this invitation, and do hope to try to live up to it. In the same vein, I would like to take a brief moment to acknowledge two people who have been critical in shaping my life and thoughts over the years, and without whose patient guidance the trust placed upon me today would have definitely been misplaced. First, my late father, Professor Ijuka Kabumba. Secondly, Professor Joe Oloka Onyango. Anything of any importance that I might say today I owe to their support and guidance. Any errors I might make, on the other hand, are entirely my own fault.

2.0 Crisis: Ancient and Modern

We meet today in the throes of a national, regional and global crisis. Covid-19 has fundamentally challenged life as we know it, upending and disrupting all aspects of our life – economic, social and political. Indeed, even today’s event is held under ‘scientific conditions’ with most attending electronically – over Facebook livestream – rather than in person.

In these circumstances, it is little wonder that the organizers of this third memorial lecture thought it best to hold it under the theme: ‘Promoting the Rule of Law in the New Normal’. It is an appropriate response to the rapidly changing world that confronts us.

At the same time, this morning, I would like to suggest a different way of thinking about, and approaching, the challenging times in which we find ourselves. That the best way of dealing with change – even rapid change – is to recognize those things which are constant.

I think, in this regard, of the words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:9 (New International Version):

What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Thus, while the current times might appear to be without precedent, in the long life of the universe, what we are experiencing – as frightening as it seems – is nothing new.

At the same time, its lack of novelty in the larger scheme of things does not take away its novelty as an experience for us – we who are present in this moment. My suggestion this morning is that, in realizing both the novelty and banality of the present crisis – we appreciate it as an opportunity to courageously rethink a number of the notions to which we cling so tightly for comfort.

Who would have thought that most international borders could be closed, and for so long a time? Or that schools would be closed, and work places shut down – with the world seemingly coming to a slow halt? In this moment in which that which we never thought possible – that which was even unthinkable – could come to pass, is an incredible moment to re-examine other facets of life of our economic, social, political and, indeed, legal life.

This morning, it is with the last of these – our legal life – that I would like to briefly reflect upon as we remember the life and service of Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka. As we remember his ultimate sacrifice for the cause and ideal of the rule of law, I invite us to reflect today as to what this might mean in ‘the new normal’.

Before Covid-19, we were a nation in crisis. After Covid-19, we shall remain a nation in crisis. Part of this crisis is one of identity. And this identity crisis then manifests in various aspects of our political, social, economic – and legal – life. This crisis can be captured by asking a few simple questions:

  1. What is Uganda?
  2. What does it mean to be Ugandan?

Only by seriously asking these two simple questions, and earnestly seeking to answer them, can we then accurately answer a third: ‘What law(s) should rule in Uganda?’ Put differently, this third question would be: ‘Why does the law not rule in Uganda?’

Please click the link below to Download the full Keynote Address

Mark Wamai

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School of Law Annual Report 2024

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Cover page of the School of Law Annual Report for 2024. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

It is my pleasure to share the School of Law Annual Report for 2024. The report highlights the major activities undertaken and the key outputs realized in light of our core mandate of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and community outreach.

I am happy to report that we successfully implemented all scheduled activities concerning teaching and learning. These included teaching, continuous assessments, final examinations, orientation for new students, field attachment for our LLB III students and graduation among others. At the 74th graduation ceremony held in January 2024, the School of Law presented 285 graduands (1 Doctor of Laws, 20 Master of Laws and 264 Bachelor of Laws). During this ceremony, Hon. Justice Fredrick Egonda Ntende and Hon. Betty Bigombe whom the School of Law had recommended, received their Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees of Makerere University for their distinguished service and contribution to society. The School of Law is very proud of these distinguished citizens. We thank Makerere University Council for having approved their awards.

Our students continued to excel in the different national and international moot court competitions. During the Phillip Jessup International Law Moot Competition held in Washington in April 2024, Makerere University School of Law was recognized as the highest ranked team from Africa. In the area of research, our faculty undertook a number of research projects and published many scholarly articles and research reports on different subjects. I congratulate them for the research outputs realized.

The Judiciary of Uganda and the Parliament of Uganda are some of our key partners and stakeholders. During the reporting period, through our staff and students, the School of Law participated in and contributed to a number of activities organized by these two arms of Government. Key among these included the Africa Judiciaries’ Summit on Alternative Dispute Resolution (5th March 2024), the 7th Annual National Plea Bargaining Conference (21st June 2024), the Alternative Dispute Resolution Week (5th – 9th August), the Family Justice Summit (12th -13th August 2024) and the 7th Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka Memorial Lecture. In May 2024, our students appeared before the Health Committee of Parliament and presented their views on the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2023.

Through mainly our different advocacy and outreach entities including the Public Interest Law
Clinic (PILAC), the Refugee Law Project (RLP) and the Human Rights & Peace Centre (HURIPEC) our staff and students conducted and participated in a number of community outreach activities. Key among these included: training of police officers on juvenile justice; training of judicial officers on juvenile justice; providing legal aid services to female prisoners in Luzira Prison; and conducting the Administrative Law short course for public officers in various parts of the country.

In December 2024, the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha
Museveni officially opened our new School of Law building. The three-storied building has several facilities including staff offices, lecture rooms, seminar rooms, state of art moot court room, a library, a lactation room and a cafeteria. These facilities will greatly enhance the teaching and learning environment at our School, which is key to providing high-quality legal education and training. The building worth 7.3 billion UGX was fully funded by the Government of Uganda.

I thank the Government of Uganda, Makerere University Council, Makerere University Top
Administration and all our partners and well-wishers for the continued support that enables us to implement our programme of work. I also thank my fellow leaders and colleagues at the School of Law for the support and participation in the different activities.

As We Build for the Future

Ronald Naluwairo, PhD
Associate Professor
PRINCIPAL

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Pre-Entry Examinations for Admission to Bachelor of Laws 2025/26

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Students sit for an exam in the pre-COVID era, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

The Academic Registrar Makerere University announces that the Pre-Entry Examination for admission to the Bachelor of Laws for 2025/2026 will be held on Saturday 12th April, 2025 from 9am – 12pm.

To be eligible to sit the examination, Applicants must possess the minimum admission requirements of the University, and any one of the following specific requirements:

  1. A’ Level leavers: Must hold an ‘O’ Level Certificate (UCE) or its equivalent with at least 5 Passes plus ‘A’ Level Certificate (UACE) or its equivalent having obtained a minimum of 13 points (Males) and 12 points (for Females) in any ‘A’ Level combination for both Humanities and Sciences. Candidates who did ‘A’ Level before 2013 should have 15 and 14 points for male and female applicants respectively.
  2. Diploma Holders: Must possess at least a 2nd Class or Credit Diploma from a recognised institution. Certified Copies of Diploma Transcripts (No Provisional Results) from the Awarding Institutions must be attached to the Application Forms.
  3. Mature Age Applicants: Must have passed the Makerere University Mature Age Entry Examination (for Bachelor of Laws) for February 24, 2024 and December 14, 2024.
  4. Degree Holders: Must be graduates in any Discipline from a Chartered University. Certified Copies of Degree Transcripts (No Provisional Results) from the Awarding Institutions must be attached to the Application Forms. (Degree holders are not eligible for Government sponsorship)

Note:

  • All applicants wishing to be admitted to the Bachelor of Laws programme offered by Makerere University are required to sit and pass the pre-entry examination of Makerere University.
  • All applicants interested in Government sponsorship, must have applied for Bachelor of Laws( LAW) by filling in the Government application form. All applicants interested in Private Sponsorship for Bachelor of Laws (LAW) -Day and Afternoon (LLA) will apply afresh when the advert comes out.
  • All applicants who hold diplomas and degrees must present a certified copy of the academic transcript. Provisional results shall not be accepted to register for this examination.
  • Applicants should note that admission is based on performance in the pre-entry examination and intake capacities for private day and private afternoon for all categories i.e. ‘A’ level, Diploma Holder, Mature Age, Degree holder and international applicants.
  • All applicants must attach a PDF Format of scanned copies of their original academic documents, original identification documents (A’ level former school IDs, the rest should have valid IDs s ) and the most recent coloured passport size photograph with a white background as shall be specified on the online application portal.
  • Each Applicant MUST without fail avail his/her e-mail address and an active mobile phone number that will be used appropriately as may be required to reach out to her/him in case of any communication after submitting the application. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check with the e-mail address/ mobile phone number availed/ application account(portal) for any future communication/information.
  • All Applicants with visual impairment are advised to come with laptops installed with the computer BRAIL Programme which they will use to write/sit for their pre-entry examination.

Further information detailing how to submit the application are contained in the document below:

The closing date for submitting the completed online Application Forms is Thursday 10th April, 2025.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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75th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University: SoL Best Performing Students, Alado attains 1st Class

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A Montage of the Best Overall LLB Student of the 75th Graduation Ceremony, Mr. Alado Lawrence who attained a First Class Degree with a CGPA of 4.56 and the Best LLB Female Student, Ms. Nakalema Stella Maris who attained a Second Upper Class Degree with a CGPA of 4.26. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, CoCIS, CEES, CoVAB and School of Law. 13th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

At the 75th Graduation Makerere University School of Law (SoL) presented a total of 285 graduands including (3) Doctor of Laws (LLD), (48) Master of Laws (LLM) and (234) Bachelor of Laws (LLB). 

The Bachelor of Laws awardees were 98 female and 136 male. Mr. Alado Lawrence emerged the best student among the LLB class attaining a 1st Class degree with a CGPA of 4.56; Ms. Nakalema Stella Maris who attained a Second Upper Class was the best performing female student with a CGPA of 4.26.

Best LLB Graduand: Alado Lawrence

Alado Lawrence, a humble soft-spoken gentleman who hails from Lira District in the northern region of Uganda emerged the best student attaining a 1st Class for the LLB with a CGPA of 4.56 out of 5.00. First class degrees are very rare at SoL; Lawrence is the 15th graduand to have attained this class of degree since 1971 when Makerere University produced the first LLBs.

Mr. Alado Lawrence, best performing LLB student who attained a 1st Class degree. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, CoCIS, CEES, CoVAB and School of Law. 13th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Alado Lawrence, best performing LLB student who attained a 1st Class degree.

Lawrence is number four in a family of 6 children born to Mr. Okio Patrick (businessman) and Mrs. Angom Juspine Okio (a farmer).

In his words, he hopes to specialize in International Law; his inspiration is the environment he witnessed in his community following the Kony insurgence and war which lasted over a decade. The situation was dire with families separated, displaced communities, abduction of children, deaths and widespread poverty in the region.

When asked if he thought he would perform highly when he joined SoL, he said, ‘initially no, because everyone said the LLB was hard. However, he worked hard and got the results’. I am grateful to the support from my father and mother, lecturers and collegiality of fellow classmates, he added.

His message to other students, “Each of us, by taking actions in our lives, can achieve impossible results. Our dreams are not beyond reach and by diligence and determination, we can not only accomplish them but even exceed them. Therefore, I encourage every dreamer to take relentless action and never give up. Everything is possible to whoever believes it so”.

Best Female Graduand: Nakalema Stella Maris

Nakalema Stella Maris is a cheerful lady with a twinkle in her eye, she emerged the best performing female student for the LLB attaining a Second Class Upper with a CGPA of 4.26 out of 5.00.

Stella Maris hails from Buvuma District, the 3rd child among 4 children born to Mr. Nsubuga William (an Economist) and Ms. Nagujja Judith (a teacher).

Ms. Nakalema Stella Maris, best performing female LLB student. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, CoCIS, CEES, CoVAB and School of Law. 13th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Nakalema Stella Maris, best performing female LLB student.

Her message to other students, “Success in law school is not just about talent but about consistency, discipline, and resilience. My journey has taught me the importance of hard work, collaboration, and learning from others. To my fellow students, remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and every setback is a lesson in disguise. Don’t fear the challenges; embrace them. Don’t aim for perfection; aim for progress. Stay curious, remain humble, and never lose sight of the values that make you passionate about the law. Together, we can inspire change and build a better society. The best is yet to come!”

Congratulations to all the SoL high performers, a further 13 LLB graduands also attained Second Class Upper.   

Zaam Ssali

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