Law
School of Law presents Graduands at the 73rd Graduation Ceremony
The School of Law (SoL) presented graduands on the first day of Makerere University’s 73rd Graduation Ceremony held on the 13th February 2023 at the Freedom Square, Makerere University. A total of 249 graduands were presented by the School including (23) Master of Laws and (226) Bachelor of Laws. Master of Laws were awarded to 12 females and 11 males while the Bachelor of Laws awardees were 94 female and 132 males.
Speaking to the congregation, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe – Vice Chancellor, Makerere University welcomed everyone to Makerere University’s 73rd Graduation. He said, ‘it gives me great pleasure to congratulate you upon reaching this milestone. Today marks the culmination of your hard work as graduands, as well as the sacrifices of the parents, guardians, sponsors, family and friends. So, take time off and celebrate’. The Vice Chancellor thanked all stakeholders for the continued support to Makerere University; he said, ‘we acknowledge that the milestones we registered over 100 years would not be possible without the close working relationship we have enjoyed with the Government of Uganda, the Ministry of Education and Sports, staff, alumni, students as well as development partners at national and global levels’.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted that despite the disruptions occasioned by Covid-19, Makerere University is on a steady course of transforming into a research-led university as a result of the support from government and development partners. Professor Nawangwe commended government for the support through Research and Innovation Fund (RIF). Prof. Nawangwe invited graduands, parents and guardians to visit the Makerere University Innovation Hub situated at Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility established through partnership with the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP). The hub is aimed at skilling students, supporting brilliant ideas and innovation for start-ups and creating jobs.
In his remarks, Professor Ezra Suruma – Chancellor, Makerere University congratulated graduands upon making it to the 73rd Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University and achieving what you came to do when you joined the University. Prof. Suruma commended the First Lady/Minister of Education and Sports for the continuous support extended to Makerere University, requesting the congregation to join him and give her a warm applause. ‘I wish to recognize the efforts of the staff and faculty for the excellent work done to prepare the students graduating today despite the multiple challenges’ he added. The Chancellor pleaded with the graduands to never forget to cherish and to honour parents, guardians and sponsors who have sacrificed so much for them to reach this graduation day. He implored the graduands to cultivate an attitude of gratitude as you enter the world.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of London, Professor Wendy Thomson, CBE delivered the commencement address to the congregation. She congratulated the graduands noting that it is a very important milestone in life, ‘an amazing achievement at any time but particularly given the challenges placed on study and health care services during the pandemic’. Professor Thomson said, ‘This is my first visit to Uganda which makes this a special pleasure for me personally and a welcome opportunity to renew the historical ties between the University of London and the Makerere University.’
Professor Thomson advised the graduands that, ‘Yes, you are graduating into a complicated world, in one of the world’s poorer nations, but you are the people who, through your social and technical contribution, can reshape it into something more human, more prosperous, something more equitable, something better for us all. Be critical. Be kind. And stay curious.
Professor Christopher Curtis Whalen from the University of Georgia, U.S.A was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of his contribution to health research and capacity building of Uganda, Makerere University and the College of Health Sciences. The orator, Professor Moses Joloba, noted that Professor Whalen has garnered over $90million for research in Uganda.
The First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports – Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni attended the graduation ceremony virtually.
In her remarks, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni congratulated the graduands for accomplishing their studies applauding the parents and guardians for supporting the students noting that it is a sacrifice. Quoting the Bible, Jeremiah 1:5, she advised the graduands to set a personal life mission to guide their career path noting that purpose predates conception. The Minister added that her prayer for all the graduands is ‘to do what is intended for them with humility and be humble’. Hon. Kataaha Museveni applauded Makerere Council and Management for their strategic plan which is geared to increasing graduate students enrollment and thanked the University for being great partner to government, reiterating the government’s support. ‘I wish all of you blessings as you head out in the world to your career journey’ the Minister added.
During the 73rd graduation week running from the 13th – 17th February, 2023, a total of 13,209 students will be awarded degrees and diplomas in various disciplines. Of these, 102 will receive PhDs, 1,378 Masters Degrees, 35 ordinary diplomas, 108 postgraduate Diplomas, and 11,586 Bachelor’s Degrees. 52% of the graduands are female and 48% are male. Beside the School of Law, the Colleges of Health Sciences and Natural Sciences also presented graduands on the first day of the 73rd Graduation Ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has commended the leadership and faculty of Makerere University School of Law for their outstanding contribution to graduate training, research, and academic excellence, describing the School as one of the key drivers of Makerere University’s growing international reputation.
The commendation was made during the Vice Chancellor’s ongoing engagements with Colleges, Stand-alone Schools, and Institutes, aimed at strengthening the management and administration of graduate training and research across the University. The visits form part of a broader initiative to assess progress in graduate education, identify emerging opportunities, and address challenges affecting research and postgraduate studies.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the School of Law for achieving the University’s Strategic Plan target of 40% graduate student enrolment, describing the milestone as a testament to the School’s commitment to producing highly skilled professionals and researchers.
He emphasized that graduate education, particularly doctoral training, is fundamental to national development. Drawing lessons from countries such as the United States and China, the Vice Chancellor observed that a nation’s number of PhD holders per capita is closely linked to its capacity for innovation, research, and socio-economic transformation.
“The countries that lead in research, innovation and industrial development have invested heavily in doctoral education. The number of PhDs per capita is a strong indicator of a country’s ability to generate knowledge and solve societal challenges,” he noted, urging the School to continue expanding graduate enrolment while maintaining high academic standards.
Prof. Nawangwe further praised the School’s vibrant Staff Colloquia Series, describing it as an important platform for promoting scholarly engagement, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration among academic staff and graduate students.
He also commended the School’s growing research focus on Environmental Law, particularly water governance and sustainability, noting that these priorities align well with Makerere University’s strategic commitment to addressing pressing environmental and climate-related challenges through research and innovation.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted the proposed collaborative Master’s Programme in Environmental Diplomacy between Makerere University and University of Padua as an example of the University’s efforts to develop specialized graduate programmes that respond to emerging global priorities while strengthening international academic partnerships.
To further support the School’s ambitions, Prof. Nawangwe reaffirmed the University’s commitment to facilitating the establishment of new Centres of Excellence, revitalizing the Environmental Law Centre (ELC), and implementing measures to strengthen staff recruitment and promotion.
He observed that investing in strong academic staff and research infrastructure remains central to Makerere University’s vision of becoming a research-led institution that contributes solutions to national, regional, and global development challenges.
The Vice Chancellor encouraged the School’s leadership and faculty to sustain the momentum in graduate training, research productivity, and international collaboration, noting that their achievements continue to enhance Makerere University’s standing as a leading centre of academic excellence in Africa.
Law
Enhancing Legal Education: Capacity Building Workshop for Competence-Based and Clinical Teaching at Makerere Law School
Uganda’s higher education system is undergoing a transformative shift through the adoption of a competency-based curriculum (CBC) starting in 2026-2027, aimed at producing graduates with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills suited to the modern labor market. This shift emphasizes balancing doctrinal learning with experiential and clinical legal education, necessitating increased capacity among faculty members, many of whom currently lack formal training in curriculum development, assessment methods, and clinical supervision. Aligning with national development goals focused on human capital and ethical workforce development, the reform seeks to produce well-rounded, adaptable legal professionals equipped to address Uganda’s socio-economic challenges.
In response, Makerere University’s School of Law organized a capacity-building workshop on June 19th, 2026, at Kalanoga Resort Beach, to strengthen lecturers’ skills in delivering practical legal education. The workshop was attended by a diverse group of professionals, including representatives from Makerere University, National Curriculum Development Centre, and the Islamic University in Uganda.
This initiative underscores Makerere Law School’s dedication to producing practice-ready legal professionals through continuous faculty development and experiential learning. The workshop focused on equipping faculty with innovative teaching strategies, assessment techniques, and clinical supervision skills essential for effective curriculum implementation. Beyond faculty development, Makerere Law School has advanced its commitment to experiential learning through its Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC).
Remarks by Participants
In his opening remarks, Prof. Ronald Naluwairo, the Principal School of Law, Makerere University highlighted a diverse set of practical experiences offered by the PILAC—including internships, externships, moot court competitions, legal aid outreach, simulation exercises, public interest litigation, and community legal literacy programs, that foster students’ legal skills, ethical awareness, and community engagement. These comprehensive efforts aim to cultivate a new generation of ethically grounded, community-oriented legal professionals ready to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s development.
In his remarks, Professor Mukadas Buyinza, Academic Registrar, Makerere University emphasized Uganda’s commitment to transforming higher education through the adoption of competency-based and clinical legal education. He highlighted the importance of curriculum redesign, innovative teaching methodologies, and assessment reforms to equip graduates with practical skills, core values, and the right attitudes. Acknowledging the pivotal role of universities in driving socio-economic development, he advocated for sustained investment in capacity building, digital learning, and strategic partnerships. Professor Buyinza also called on institutions to embrace innovation and institutionalize confidence-based approaches to learning. Ultimately, he underscored the critical need for active stakeholder engagement to strengthen Uganda’s leadership in experiential, value-driven legal education—ensuring that graduates are ethically grounded and competently prepared to address societal needs.
Key Highlight from the Training
The education system prioritizes comprehensive assessment and curriculum design based on principles like authenticity, reliability, transparency, performance focus, and technology integration to produce ethically and professionally capable graduates. Lecturers play a vital role, requiring competencies in communication, research, curriculum development, technology, and ongoing professional development to adapt to emerging challenges such as AI and digital tools.
Uganda’s shift to competency-based education and curriculum reform aims to produce relevant, skilled, and ethically grounded graduates through innovative teaching, rigorous assessment, and continuous curriculum review involving diverse stakeholder input and international benchmarking. Curricula are systematically updated to align with societal, labor market, and global standards.
Assessment practices include formative, summative, diagnostic, performance-based tasks, self-evaluation, and peer review, guided by principles of authenticity, reliability, transparency, and technological use. Both traditional and innovative methods like interviews, debates, projects, and exams are employed.
Educational programs focus on developing diverse competencies, including foundational knowledge, critical thinking, social skills, practical skills, communication, ethics, digital literacy, research, lifelong learning, and vocational skills. Pedagogical approaches such as case-based learning, collaborative activities, environment and community-based learning, and digital platforms promote active engagement and practical skills, ensuring relevant and adaptable higher education.
Innovative practical teaching approaches incorporate community engagement and real-world assessments, to enhance student learning and relevance. There is need for careful student grouping, honest assessment, and resource allocation, including budgeting and support for field activities and student mobility, to effectively implement reforms and improve educational outcomes.
Transitioning to competency-based education must focus on developing knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes through student-centered, interactive teaching methods.
Recommended approaches include participatory lectures, simulations, clinics, internships, case studies, problem-based learning, workshops, research projects, seminars, guest speakers, and audiovisual tools—all aimed at ensuring students acquire relevant competencies aligned with national, regional, and institutional goals.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 23rd June 2026 during his visitation to Colleges, Stand-alone Schools and Institutes to discuss management and administration of graduate training and research commended the School of Law (SoL) Leadership and Faculty on attaining the 40% Graduate Student enrolment target as per the University Strategic Plan. Citing examples of the U.S. and China, he noted that a country’s PhD per capita correlates with capacity to develop, and therefore encouraged SoL to keep improving graduate training and research output.
Prof. Nawangwe commended the School’s Staff Colloquia Series and research priorities on Environmental Law, especially Water, noting that this compliments institutional efforts to establish specialized Graduate programmes like the proposed collaborative Masters in Environmental Diplomacy with the University of Padova. He therefore reassured the School of support in establishment of new Centres of Excellence and revitalization of the Environment Law Centre (ELC) as well as measures to address staff promotion and recruitment.
Commending the School’s longstanding collaboration with the University of Pretoria particularly through the Master’s in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA), the Vice Chancellor urged faculty to forge more partnerships especially those that incorporate joint degree supervision. “We were able to graduate hundreds of PhDs with Sida support due to joint supervision arrangements with Swedish institutions” he elaborated.
The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by the Academic Registrar-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Director Graduate Training-Prof. Julius Kikooma, Head Makerere Writing Centre-Prof. Fredrick Muyodi, Managing Editor of Makerere University Press (MakPress)-Prof. William Tayeebwa and Mr. Andrew Mwesigwa from the Makerere University Library. They were received at SoL by the Dean-Prof. Ronald Naluwairo, Deputy Dean-Dr. Zahara Nampewo, and the School’s leadership and faculty.
Addressing the meeting, Prof. Naluwairo thanked the University Council and Management under the leadership of Prof. Nawangwe for prioritizing infrastructure development that paved way for the construction and furnishing of the new School of Law Building. “Every member of staff now has an office”, he added. This development, he noted, that has made the School environment more conducive for work, student supervision and personal study.
The Dean reported that SoL currently has 414 graduate students, with 41 enrolled for the Doctor of Laws (LLD). He nevertheless added that only twenty three (23) faculty are eligible to teach and supervise graduate students, which impacts their workload. It was on this note that the requested the Management team to prioritise recruitment and promotions for the School.
In terms of research output, Prof. Naluwairo highlighted the East African Journal of Peace and Human Rights (EAJPHR) produced by the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), the Makerere Law Journal produced by Students, as well as the HURIPEC and Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC) Working Paper Series as the School’s main publication avenues. He nevertheless called for the approval of specialized Master of Laws (LLM) programmes, additional support for graduate students’ support services and increased Graduate Fellows’ appointments to further boost the School’s output.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi in his submission commended the SoL on its world renowned and well respected status, as observed from a recent working visit to the European University Institute (EUI) in Italy. He therefore urged the School to take advantage of this rich legacy by further expanding their frontier of collaboration internationally and attracting more Honorary and Adjunct Professors to help supervise and mentor graduate students.
Contributing to the discussion, Prof. Julius Kikooma congratulated SoL on attaining the Graduate Student Enrolment target and added that this would be further boosted with the roll-out of the Research Information Management System (RIMS) to track graduate students’ milestones. He equally informed the meeting that a curriculum on graduate supervision is being development in partnership with the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (CTLS), to help standardize and guide the process.
Additionally, Prof. Fredrick Muyodi reassured the School of Law of the his Centre’s readiness to provide training that can help improve the writing of grants, reports and dissertations so as to further boost research output. The Centre has, in keeping with current trends, organized training on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in writing and research output. Also in the pipeline are trainings on writing policy briefs, and a writing retreat in collaboration with MakPress to help finalists complete of theses and dissertations on time.
The Managing Editor, Prof. Tayeebwa congratulated SoL upon the East African Journal of Peace and Human Rights (EAJPHR)’s consistent production since 1993. He equally expressed MakPress’ readiness to digitize and assign International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) and Digital Object Identifier (DOI) identifiers to further boost the publication’s visibility. “We are ready to work with you to establish any other journals you have ideas for” he added.
The discussions concluded with the Vice Chancellor’s reassurance of the continued protection of academic freedom, whereupon he urged the SoL faculty to feature more prominently in the Kampala Geopolitics Conference, where the African perspective is integrated into discussions of current geopolitical issues. The visit was concluded with a tour of the SoL Moot Court.
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