Law
Law Students Advised to Make the Right Choices and Work Hard
The Makerere University School of Law (SoL) held the Orientation Meeting for its First Year Students, Academic Year 2022/2023 on the 20th October 2022; Ms. Sarah Langa Siu, Chief Registrar – Courts of Judicature was the Guest of Honour.
Ms. Langa welcomed the freshers to the prestigious and honourable profession. She advised the students to make the right choices and work hard for the best grades during their time at University. ‘Campus is a buffet with a lot to offer, make the best choices. Remember every choice has a consequence and your choice today will impact your tomorrow’, she said. She highlighted a number of dos and donts which the students should take note of.Some of the points mentioned were: good role models and mentors; avoiding free things; minding the dress code and indecent dressing; quick money and deals, students using fees as capital; positive brand of self; vision and value addition.
The Chief Registrar added that ‘there is a long life ahead of you and don’t act like the world is ending, that everything has to be enjoyed within the 4 years of university’. Quoting the Bible Ecclesiastes 11:9, Ms. Langa told the students to enjoy their youth but to remember that God will judge them. She implored the students to work hard, be patient, be resilient and have a positive attitude, ‘the major reason you are at Makerere is to study and make sure you leave with a good degree class not a pass’ she said.
Staff welcomed the students to the SoL and gave them tips on how to use their time while at University.
In his remarks, Dr. Ronald Naluwairo (Associate Professor), Deputy Principal –SoL welcomed the students to Makerere University and the School of Law. He also conveyed a warm welcome from the Principal, Professor Christopher Mbazira who is away on official leave.
Dr. Naluwairo congratulated the students on joining a top law school in the country and region, he advised that the best teachers and resources are available and there is no reason for them to fail. ‘If you want the best results, don’t relax, concentrate on your studies and consult faculty and administration when you have challenges. We are here to ensure that you succeed’ he added. The Deputy Principal reminded the students that SoL and Makerere University have a zero tolerance policy to sexual harassment as well as examination malpractice and irregularities. ‘We wish you the best as you embark on this journey’ he said.
Mr. Ernest Kalibbala, Lecturer – SoL also welcomed the students to the School and Makerere University. ‘You are the cream de la cream; the cream rises to the top, doesn’t sink to the bottom. Grades are important in determining your professional journey, therefore study hard and start now’, he told the students. Mr. Kalibbala further advised the students that you may feel overwhelmed at times but keep focused, be agile and work hard for the best results.
Dr. Kakungulu Mayambala (Associate Professor) also welcomed the students to SoL. ‘Set aside time for self-study, at least 4hours per day. Avoid the following problem areas: early marriages, alcoholism, late night movements, political activism, excessive prayer activities. Find a balance, otherwise your studies will be affected’ Dr. Kakungulu Mayambala advised the students.
Administrative staff spoke to the students highlighting the services available and where to access assistance. Mr. Abigaba Vincent, College Registrar – SoL and Ms. Hellen Mirembe, Examination Officer – SoL explained to the students the registration and examinationsprocesses. Both officers advised the students to read the joining instructions booklet carefully and to avoid circumstances that may lead to suspension or expulsion from university such as examination malpractice to which others have been culprits.
Ms. Caroline Abilat and Ms. Evelyn Harona represented the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming and Department of Guidance and Counselling respectively. Ms. Abilat talked to the students about the University Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy and the scholarships available. Ms. Harona advised the students to take care of their mental health and to seek help when they experience challenges.
Makerere University (Mak)‘s strategic direction is to become a research-led institution leading to innovations, knowledge transfer partnerships and providing solutions to national challenges. In line with the strategic direction, on 10th December 2024, Mak and Uganda Prison Services (UPS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that paves way for the Makerere University School of Law to undertake short trainings in administrative law for UPS staff.
At the signing ceremony held at the UPS headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor – Mak and Dr. Johnson Byamugisha, Commissioner General for UPS signed for their institutions. In attendance were senior officers from UPS and staff of SoL, Dr. Zahara Nampewo – Deputy Principal, and Dr. Patricia Atim, Coordinator of the Administrative Law short course.
The collaboration arising from the MoU aims to equip UPS officers with knowledge and skills in administrative law, improving their legal understanding and service delivery within the institution. The partnership involves training 60 UPS officers annually in the SoL Administrative Law Short Course Programme
Expressing pride in Mak and the School of Law, Professor Nawangwe thanked Dr. Byamugisha and the UPS for giving the university an opportunity to contribute to the professionalization of the prisons service. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the legal framework and ensuring the effectiveness of law enforcement personnel.
The partnership marks a significant step in enhancing the capacity of Uganda’s correctional facilities, ensuring that officers are better equipped to carry out their duties in accordance with the law.
Law
China-Africa Forum for Law School Deans ends with Partners’ committing to enhanced collaboration
On 5th November 2024, Law School Deans, Academicians, researchers and students from Africa and China met at School of Law (SoL), Makerere University in Kampala Uganda for the 6th China-Africa Forum for Law School Deans. The Forum themed, ‘Legal Guarantee and Educational Support for High-Quality Development of China-Africa’ was hosted by SoL in partnership with Renmin University of China and Xiangtan University, China.
This forum was proposed at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2021 in Dakar, Senegal, The resultant Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024) explicitly proposed to support holding the China-Africa Forum of Law School Deans to among other things: encourage and assist China-Africa Universities in jointly building China-Africa legal research centres; training of legal professionals; and promoting China-Africa exchanges and cooperation for legal knowledge and legal talents.
In his remarks, Dr. Ronald Naluwairo – Associate Professor and Principal, SoL welcomed participants to SoL, Makerere University and Uganda. ‘SoL opened its doors in 1968 and has grown into one of the greatest schools of law in Africa and enjoys global recognition for its work’, he said. He thanked Xiangtan University, China with who Makerere has a memorandum of understanding for the collaboration that started in 2014 and introducing the other partners present. He expressed hope that at the end of the meeting, tangible areas of collaboration supporting social justice will be defined for the partners; and a compilation of a report of the papers presented for knowledge transfer and policy development.
Professor Henry Alinaitwe – Deputy Vice Chancellor/Finance & Administration, Makerere University represented the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe. He welcomed participants and encouraged them to tour Uganda, Pearl of Africa before departure for an appreciation of Uganda’s beauty. ‘Teaching of the law can contribute to social transformation of our people in Africa and China. This is therefore an important platform for discussion improvements in legal education for both Africa and China’, he said. Professor Alinaitwe thanked the partners for choosing Makerere to host and hoped for productive, enlightening deliberations during the forum which will lead to enhancement of the collaboration.
The forum was officially opened by His Excellency, Ambassador Zhang Lizhong – Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda. Ambassador Lizhong expressed pleasure at seeing the participants from China and Africa in the room to support the China-Africa collaborations which have built synergy with multiple plans and strategies. He explained that in Uganda alone, China continues to export promotion, infrastructure development (roads, dams, and airport) among others. He noted that there has been an increase of people exchange between China and Africa and it is therefore important that the nations understand better the legal setups for better collaboration and development mutually beneficial to all. ‘I thank Makerere for the support of the collaboration and I hope to see development of legal research centres as outlined in the Accra Action Plan’ the ambassador noted.
Presentations by participants through the day culminated into proposal of the following as key issues for further consideration and development:
- Recognition that legal education and legal exchanges are essential foundations of friendly cooperation between China and Africa and the China-Africa Forum of Law School Deans is an effective platform to promote the cooperation. The Forum will therefore be held regularly.
- Expand the scope, enhance effectiveness and impact of the Forum.
- Establish exchange mechanisms to promote cooperation, including joint international conferences and co-publish academic journals.
- Encourage law teachers’ research cooperation among faculty to improve research quality and facilitate mutual visits.
- Promote friendly exchanges among young legal professionals, providing support for their studies and exchanges at partner institutions
- Collaborate of developing educational programmes, including courses on comparative studies of China-African legal systems.
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