The Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), School of Law, Makerere University invites excellent and motivated candidates for a doctoral position in climate policies and law. The position is part of the DANIDA funded research project titled: “Charcoal Conflict in Climate Change’s Decarbonisation Dilemmas: Knots of Livelihood, Nutrition, Communities, Gender, Migration and Energy in East Africa”. The successful applicant will join a vibrant international research environment and enrol at the School of Law, Makerere University. The studies are expected to begin on 1 November 2023. The scholarship position is for 4 years ending on 30th November 2027.
The Project “Charcoal Conflict in Climate Change’s Decarbonisation Dilemmas” explores the conflict potential in green transitions in Uganda and Tanzania, with a special attention to the ways charcoal is embedded in local communities and therefore tied up with food, health, gender, youth, migration, ethnic relations and the informal economy. Local level field work in select regions within the two countries is connected to on the one hand analyses of the political and legal frameworks in the two countries and on the other hand the global climate management regime, formal and informal, that increasingly puts low-emission countries under pressure of energy transitions.
The candidate selected for the advertised doctoral position will principally contribute to the project by developing her or his original analysis of Uganda and Tanzania’s legal and policy frameworks as they relate to the social and economic dynamics of charcoal under the terrain of relevant laws and polices mapped out by global climate regimes. This will happen in close collaboration with the research teams in Uganda, Tanzania and Denmark, which include: one other PhD from Tanzania, Post-Doctoral researchers and senior scholars from the three countries.
The project is a collaboration between three partners: The Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC) a semi-autonomous department under the School of Law at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda; St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), a private University in Mwanza, Tanzania, contributing expertise in health, gender and peace studies; The Centre for Resolution of International Conflicts (CRIC) at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, a hub for peace and conflict research in Denmark.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Doctoral student is expected to:
Develop an independent research project for an LLD thesis that covers the local levels of the project (Uganda and Tanzania) in a way that productively supports the overarching project and the other sub-projects.
Participate actively in the development of the CHARCOAL CONFLICT project and its academic activities, including collaborating in refining the project design and methodology and further developing the theoretical framework
Prepare and participate in joint publications and workshops and help make an impact on the scholarly and public debate on global climate politics and (in)justice
Travel to Tanzania and Denmark for annual retreats, participate in field trips and possibly stay for some periods at partner universities.
Assist in carrying out administrative and coordination duties associated with the project, including interim reporting to DANIDA, co-organisation of workshops, the project website and initiating new initiatives.
Your Competencies and Opportunities
The applicant must be Ugandan and must have a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from a recognized university. Candidates who display knowledge of de-colonial and critical legal theory approaches to the field of study will have an added advantage. Applicants must be motivated, creative and mature and should display enthusiasm and good interpersonal and communication skills. They must display good knowledge of East Africa, its laws and policies especially as they relate to the social, economic and political dynamics of charcoal, renewable energy transitions and climate change in the region.
Other possible competences include:
A good grasp of relevant academic literature
Strong academic writing skills
The ability to work independently as well as collaborate with other members of a research team
An ability to work across disciplines and in an international context.
Scope of the Scholarship
The Scholarship will cover the following:
Full Tuition fees for up to four years
A generous monthly stipend for the duration of the doctoral studies.
Research period of 3 months at CRIC in Denmark
Full access to the Danish Library and other connected libraries.
Extra and thorough supervisory research support from senior academics under the project at HURIPEC, SAUT & CRIC.
Other benefits:
Being part of an ambitious team that aims to produce high quality research with significant policy relevance.
The opportunity to develop an independent research agenda within the overall project.
Being part of a strong multidisciplinary research environment within Law, Sociology, International Relations and Conflict Research.
Get the opportunity to see typical Northern research agendas challenged by excellent scholars from East Africa and being part of this team.
Funding for participation on project relevant conferences.
Instructions for Application
Applicants should submit a 5 page concept note of their planned thesis exploring any of the project themes and objectives but with an emphasis on the social–economic impact of the legal and policy frameworks on charcoal in the clean energy transition discourses in both Uganda and Tanzania. The concept should include key questions, a theoretical framework, methodology and how the planned thesis will add to already existing research. The concept note should also comprise a preliminary bibliography and a preliminary study plan. All applications will be reviewed by an appraisal committee following which the successful applicants will appear before an expert panel for further assessment. The successful candidate will be asked to fulfil the admission requirements at Makerere University before submitting a full proposal.
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria will be followed when shortlisting candidates for assessment:
Relevant qualifications and knowledge to the proposed area of study
Research qualifications relevant to the overall research project.
Quality and feasibility of the concept note
Originality and creativity of the research concept.
Significance of the research in respect to any of the following issues:
(i) The special need addressed in society / discipline.
(ii) Providing a solution to an existing problem
(iii) Improvement of a critical service
(iv) Proposal for alternative best practice or cost effectiveness
(v) Contribution to a strategic goal or global issue
Performance (grades obtained) in graduate and post-graduate studies.
Concept notes together with the accompanying documents should be submitted electronically to the following E-mails: sylnamwase84@gmail.com copying busingye.kabumba@amugalu
The following are the required accompanying documents:
A Cover Letter addressed to the HURIPEC Director, detailing your motivation and background for applying for the LLD programme.
A work plan demonstrating ability to complete the LLD programme in less than or within four years.
A CV including list of publications, where available.
Recommendation from at least one senior academic in a recognised institution of higher learning.
The application must be submitted electronically. Deadline for applications is: 15th October 2023.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.