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 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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