Law
S&L Advocates Donates All England Law Reports (1936 – 2020) to School of Law
S&L Advocates (formerly Sebalu & Lule Advocates) has donated a full set of All England Law Reports (1936-2020) to the School of Law (SoL), Makerere University. The reports were handed over at a colourful ceremony held on Friday, 18th March 2022 to celebrate 40 years since S&L Advocates was established. Mr. Barnabas Tumusingize (Managing Partner, S&L Advocates) handed over the donation to Prof. Christopher Mbazira (Principal, School of Law) who was accompanied by a delegation of students led by Mr. Percy Mpindi (President, Makerere Law Society).
The Master of Ceremony, Mr. Andrew Kamuteera Munanura (Partner, S&L Advocates) welcomed the SoL delegation to the S&L Advocates premises encouraging all present to feel comfortable and enjoy the evening. He introduced Partners and Staff of S&L explaining that the celebration should have taken place in 2020, however, it had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Munanura expressed his hope that this visit and celebration would serve as an inspiration to the students who were given a tour of the S&L Chambers as well as an interactive session with the Managing Partner and staff. He further said that S&L was happy to give back to Makerere University, SoL where many of the advocates had studied.
In his remarks, Mr. Barnabas Tumusingize (Managing Partner, S&L Advocates), welcomed the SoL delegation to the S&L Chambers and thanked them for accepting the invitation. He thanked the SoL for the nurturing during their time as students and appreciated that many of the advocates at the chambers were alumni of Makerere University, SoL. ‘It is my belief that the School has changed, but we have fond memories of our stay at Makerere. I completed my studies in 1988 and those were hard times but we received knowledge’, Mr. Tumusingize said. He further thanked SoL for continuing to pass out students that they employ and or host for clerkship during their training.
Speaking to the students, Mr. Tumusingize encouraged them to work hard, be patient and avoid instant gratification. He advised that excellence is about hard work, patience and serious effort. ‘Don’t look at senior counsels and think that their achievements are going to come to you soon; invest time, be trustworthy and integrity must be maintained towards clients and colleagues’ Mr. Tumusingize further advised. He recognized the forward thinking by the founders of S&L Advocates, Mr. Paulo Sebalu and Mr. Godfrey Serunkuuma Lule who established the chambers in 1980 and set a strong foundation which has enabled the firm to grow from strength to strength 42years since its establishment.
Receiving the donation, Prof. Christopher Mbazira thanked S&L for the donation which will greatly support teaching and learning. He expressed his pleasure and that of SoL to join S&L Advocates at this celebration. He commended Mr. Tumusingize and S&L for the support to SoL and proposals on how to improve given to the School. ‘As an institution Makerere University has been eager to seek out alumni, know what they are doing and see how to collaborate going forward’, he said. He explained that it is symbolic that Makerere University is celebrating 100years this year, SoL celebrated 50years in 2019 and S&L Advocates is celebrating 40years. Prof. Mbazira congratulated S&L Advocates noting that it is no mean achievement for a firm in the global south especially Africa, where most institutions are wound up with the retirement or demise of their founders.
He noted that ‘In many instances, big multinational law firms engage in franchise like practice conscripting national law firms with talent to become their concierge, yet S&L has proven that it is possible for talented lawyers in global south to build a practice that competes with that of international firms establishing networks and partnerships as equals’. Prof. Mbazira further said ‘S&L has made a name for their ethical legal practice and professionalism exhibited in their work and service, proving that it is possible to be successful while practicing ethically’. I do envy the young lawyers who intern or undertake their clerkship and associates who start their practice at S&L which gives them a good foundation he noted.
Sharing his experience when he meets senior lawyers, Prof. Mbazira said ‘some thank us for the work of holding the school together, commending the innovations and offering suggestions on what can be improved however others question the quality of legal education offered referencing some of the students/lawyers they interact with’. The Principal suggested that the quality of any industry is a reflection of how much the industry has invested in training young people aspiring to join the industry. He emphasized that it is pertinent that practicing lawyers and law schools work together to improve the legal industry. It is our hope that the move by S&L to support Makerere University. SoL is only the beginning for further collaboration between academia and legal practice. The SoL will reach out more to alumni and advocates for collaboration.
In his closing remarks, Mr. James Mukasa Sebugenyi (Senior Partner, S&L Advocates) said ‘if you are not a good example, you are a horrible warning and work for a cause not applause’. Mr. Mukasa explained that he hopes that in giving this donation S&L serves as a good example encouraging the students to always give back and always challenge themselves to serve as good examples.
The Public Interest Law (PILAC) held its 13th Clinical Legal Education (CLE) Moot on 14th May 2026 in the Makerere University School of Law (SoL) Moot Court Room. The CLE Moot is one of the clinical activities forming part of the experiential learning approach used by PILAC in its CLE class.
This Moot gives CLE students the opportunity to build their court advocacy skills, including case research and preparation, oratory and case presentation, court etiquette and teamwork, among others. This is in addition to exposing students to emerging areas of law and legal dilemmas that require specialised legal knowledge and talent to resolve. The uniqueness of this Moot lies in the fact that it is presided over by real judges, drawing mainly from the High Court. This is a result of the collaboration between the School of Law and the Judiciary of Uganda.
The Case and Arguments
This year, the theme of the moot was, ‘Rapid Economic Liberalisation and Urban Growth as drivers of inequity, weakened accountability, strained public infrastructure, and conflict between traders and the state’.
The Moot was presided over by a panel of three High Court Judges: Hon. Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, Hon. Justice Isa Serunkuma and Hon. Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha. The moot problem focused on two unique and interrelated issues. First were legal questions around public-private partnerships and the nature of the legal obligations they impose on the state. Second, there were questions about the state’s obligations regarding human rights abuses arising from the actions of private actors under public-private partnership arrangements.
A compelling display of legal advocacy, a mock human rights enforcement petition highlighted the rising tide of climate litigation across Africa, tackling the devastating human toll of environmental disasters and the inadequacy of state responses. The fictional case centred on a catastrophic flood that destroyed local businesses, displaced scores of traders, and tragically claimed the lives of a mother and her infant child.
At the heart of the legal arguments was the state’s defence: a flat-rate compensation package that critics argued barely scratched the surface of the community’s profound losses. The petition cut straight to a definitive and increasingly urgent question facing the African continent: When climate-related disasters hit already vulnerable communities, and the state fails in its constitutional duty to protect the right to a clean and healthy environment, what does the law actually require? The answer put forward by the petitioners was unwavering: the law requires a meaningful, comprehensive remedy—not mere sympathy, and certainly not token payments.
While climate litigation in Africa is still in its infancy, legal scholars note it is growing rapidly out of sheer necessity. As environmental obligations are too often treated by governments as aspirational goals rather than enforceable duties, the courtroom is emerging as a vital arena to bridge the gap between state promises and true accountability.
Highlights of the Competition and Recognition of Best Performers
A total of 30 students participated in the Moot, under three teams: Applicants, Respondents, and Amicus. After weeks of preparations, the students wore their lawyers’ robes and had the chance to appear before the panel of judges, each presenting their arguments in a passionate and eloquent manner.
At the end of the competition, the judges gave their feedback, expressing appreciation for the level of performance and preparedness of the teams. Some were complimented for performing better than some of the advocates who appear before the judges in court. The judges also provided tips and guidance for the purpose of enabling the students to improve their performance.
In his remarks, Professor Christopher Mbazira, the PILAC Coordinator, commended the students for their hard work and appreciated the judges for taking time off their busy court dockets to support the School in skilling the young future legal professionals. Each of the judges was recognised with a plaque of appreciation.
For his exceptional performance, Mayanja Owen was named Best Oralist of the competition. The Amicus team were recognised as the winning team from the presentations. Reflecting on the weight of the subject matter, the participating students expressed deep gratitude to the judging panel, their teammates who shared the immense burden of the case, and the instructors who guided them through weeks of demanding preparations.
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