Makerere University School of Law (SoL) recorded an outstanding performance at the 35^th Christof Heyns All Africa Human Rights Moot Court Competition, finishing as 1^st Runners-Up in the week-long competition held at the Institut Universitaire d’Abidjan in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 26 July to 2 August 2026.

Hosted by the University of Pretoria Centre for Human Rights, the competition brought together more than 86 universities from across Africa, making it one of the continent’s largest and most prestigious human rights moot court competitions.

Makerere University was represented by Owen Mayanja, LLB III student, and Conrad Akesigaruhanga, LLB I student. The team delivered an exceptional performance throughout the competition, advancing through a highly competitive field and ultimately reaching the final. Dr. Daniel Ruhweza, Head – Law and Jurisprudence who also serves as Coordinator Mooting at SoL travelled with the team to Abidjan.

The team’s performance was recognised with several major awards. Makerere was named Best Team in the Preliminary Rounds and received the Best Memorial award for the quality of its written submissions. In the individual oral advocacy rankings, Owen and Conrad were ranked 5^th and 7^th Best Oralist respectively in the competition.

Reaching the finals placed the Makerere team before an eminent bench comprising distinguished African Justices of the African Court and members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, providing the students with invaluable exposure to human rights advocacy and litigation at the continental level. The competition also offered an opportunity to engage with law students, academics, legal practitioners, and members of regional human rights institutions from across Africa.

The achievement is a significant milestone for the SoL and reflects the strength of its students in legal research, writing, oral skills, and critical thinking. It also underscores the School’s commitment to equipping students with the skills required to engage confidently with complex legal questions.

A Journey of Preparation, Resilience and Growth

For the Makerere team, the competition was the culmination of months of intensive preparation involving research, drafting and redrafting written submissions, and rigorous oral advocacy practice.

Reflecting on the experience, Owen Mayanja described the competition as an opportunity to test himself against some of the strongest law students on the continent.

“Participating in the Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot was an opportunity to test myself against some of the best law students on the continent. From qualifying through our internal moot to months of researching, drafting, and rigorous oral practice, the preparation was intense.”

He noted, “My biggest challenge was learning to distil complex human rights arguments into concise and compelling submissions without losing legal rigour, and relentless practice helped us overcome that.”

Owen added “Standing before such a distinguished bench of African Judges in the final was a defining moment. Finishing as 1st Runners-Up, winning Best Memorial and Best Team in the Preliminary Rounds, and being recognised among the top oralists among over 86 teams was deeply affirming, not just for us, but for Makerere.”

He said the experience reinforced two important lessons: perseverance and the ability to embrace pressure. “The experience taught me two things: never give up, and embrace pressure. The pressure pushed me beyond my limits and helped me grow. My advice to students is simple: know that it will be hard, but do not let that stop you—the difficulty is what makes the experience worthwhile.”

Mayanja also expressed gratitude to his teammate, coaches, the SoL Mooting Society, SoL administration and other individuals who supported his mooting journey. “I am grateful beyond measure to Conrad, the steadiest counsel I could have stood beside; to our coaches, Kalinda Jamada, Ruth Muhawe and Sabiti Edwin, for the constant feedback during our preparations; to our Patron, Dr. Daniel Ruhweza, to John Baptist Katende, Chairperson Makerere Mooting Society and the entire Makerere University School of Law community for the honour of carrying its name.”

He made special mention of Calvin David Mukiibi, whom he described as having played a longstanding role in his development as a mooter. “He has been part of my mooting journey from my very first competition to this one. He gave up his time again and again, kept believing even when things didn’t come our way in many of the competitions. A lot of what I am proud of in this journey was built in those moments, the ones that never made it here. Thank you for being consistently there through it all. This win is yours as much as anybody else’.”

Learning beyond the Classroom

For Conrad Akesigaruhanga, participating in the Christof Heynes All Africa Moot Competition provided an opportunity to extend his learning beyond the classroom and engage with human rights questions from a broader African perspective. He said, “Participating in the All-Africa Moot challenged me to grow beyond the classroom, sharpen my oral skills, and engage with human rights issues from a broader African perspective.”

As a first-year law student, Akesigaruhanga said the experience demonstrated the importance of preparation, teamwork and resilience. “The journey demanded extensive research, preparation, teamwork, and resilience, but it taught me that thorough preparation builds confidence and enables you to think on your feet under pressure.”

One of his most memorable experiences was making submissions before members of Africa’s regional human rights institutions. He noted that, “one of the most memorable moments was making submissions before Justices of the African Court and members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It was a full-circle moment that reminded me that human rights are not merely abstract legal concepts—they are lived realities.”

Akesigaruhanga described receiving the award as both fulfilling and humbling, noting that the experience represented not only the team’s achievement but also his personal growth in confidence and advocacy. He thanked those who supported his journey, “I am deeply grateful to my teammate Owen, our coaches, the Mooting Society, Dr. Ruhweza, and the SoL Administration for their support.”

Conrad’s advice to fellow students is to begin early, understand rather than memorise the law, and remain open to challenging questions. He said, “Start early, understand the law rather than memorising it, embrace difficult questions, and trust the process. Mooting is not only about winning; it is about becoming a better advocate and learning to believe in your preparation.”

SoL Commends the Team

The success of the team can be attributed to the support and guidance of the SoL Administration led by the Dean – Professor Ronald Naluwairo, the Mooting Society, the coaches, and the Mooting Coordinator/Patron, Dr. Daniel Ruhweza.

Dr. Ruhweza, who travelled with the team to Abidjan, commended the students for their achievement, particularly Akesigaruhanga’s performance as a first-year student. “I am proud of them. Conrad is just in his first year of study. Beating over 80 other teams in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is impressive.”

The strong showing in Abidjan underscores SoL’ place among the leading law schools on the African continent. More importantly, the achievement demonstrates the value of practical legal education in developing students who can conduct rigorous research, construct persuasive legal arguments, advocate effectively, and engage confidently with complex legal issues.

The Dean, staff and students of the SoL congratulate Owen Mayanja and Conrad Akesigaruhanga on their remarkable achievement and commends Dr. Ruhweza, the coaches, the Mooting Society for the support during preparations. They also thank the University Management for contributing to the team’s success through provision of finances and an enabling environment.

Makerere University School of Law (SoL) hosted the inaugural Digital Health Inter-University Moot Court Competition on 12–13 August 2026, bringing together law students from six Ugandan universities to examine emerging legal and ethical questions arising from the digitisation of healthcare.

Makerere University emerged as the overall winner, with IUIU School of Law, Kampala Campus, taking the runners-up position. The competition recognised outstanding performances, with Blessing Olga Asianut taking home the award for Best Oralist. IUIU was named Best Memorial, while Makerere Law received the award for Best Amicus Memorial.

Held in partnership with the University of Warwick, School of Law and supported by the Wellcome Trust, the competition brought together teams from Makerere University, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)–Kampala Campus, Kampala International University, King Caesar University, Gulu University and Metropolitan University. The preliminary rounds were held on 12 August, followed by the finals on 13 August before Hon. Lady Justice Patricia Mutesi and Hon. Justice Anthony Wabwire.

Moot Examines Legal Challenges in Digital Healthcare

At the centre of the competition was a hypothetical case before the High Court of Ngalamba, Gracious Asiimwe v. Winner Insurance Company and the Attorney General of Ngalamba. The case examined the legal implications of introducing a nationwide digital health system and required students to grapple with issues of privacy, data protection, informed consent and access to healthcare.

In the fictional dispute, Asiimwe challenged the government and Winner Insurance Company over the alleged failure to protect her sensitive medical information, obtain consent for the collection and use of her health data, and ensure that the digital health system did not undermine access to healthcare.

The case also raised concerns about the transfer of patients’ health data across borders and its use by private entities without consent. It examined interoperability challenges that allegedly forced patients to repeat costly medical tests because different health facilities’ digital systems could not communicate.

Beyond data protection, the moot considered the wider implications of investment in digital health, including claims that public funds had been diverted from hospitals and schools to finance the new system, potentially affecting the delivery of basic services.

Through the hypothetical case, students were challenged to examine how digital health intersects with fundamental rights, government obligations and the ethical use of health technologies.

Professor Sekalala Tasks Students to Question Who Owns Health Data

Speaking during the moot, Professor Sharifah Sekalala, Deputy Head of University of Warwick School of Law and Director of the Centre for Global Health Law highlighted the difficulty of defining health data and determining who owns and controls it. She noted that devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers collect information including blood pressure and other health indicators, raising questions about who should have the right to use such information.

She questioned whether technology companies should profit from users’ health information without sharing the benefits, particularly where such data contributes to the development of new medicines and treatments.

Professor Sekalala also cautioned that unclear ownership and commercial use of health information could undermine trust in health systems and threaten individual and community privacy.

Drawing on her experience at Makerere University, she encouraged students to value their academic foundation, remain curious and think beyond the classroom. She urged them to remain committed to justice, fairness and equity.

Judges Emphasise Depth, Confidence and Persuasion

Hon. Lady Justice Patricia Mutesi and Hon. Justice Anthony Wabwire who moderated the finals commended all participating teams for their hard work, legal knowledge and advocacy skills. They noted that the main differences among the teams emerged in the depth of legal analysis, clarity of presentation, articulation of arguments and responsiveness to questions.

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They emphasised that legal knowledge is the foundation of effective advocacy but must be accompanied by deeper engagement with legal principles and relevant interpretations. Confidence was also identified as essential, particularly because advocates in real court proceedings must respond effectively to unexpected questions rather than rely solely on prepared submissions.

The judges observed that the respondent team made strong use of the facts in the case, while the applicant team missed some opportunities despite having favourable facts. Students were also urged to pay close attention to the reliefs sought from court by clearly specifying the damages claimed and the precise orders they want the court to issue.

The panel further emphasised that advocacy is fundamentally about persuasion. Lawyers must communicate effectively through both written and oral submissions while making the best use of limited court time. Students were encouraged to understand and summarise their facts clearly, identify the issues before court and state precisely what they want the court to do.

They were also encouraged to attend proceedings at the Industrial Court, where observing live cases can help them learn how arguments and objections are presented and addressed.

The judges advised students to remain composed when faced with difficult questions, including questions of jurisdiction, and to continue engaging with the court under pressure. They also cautioned students to verify legal authorities and citations carefully, particularly in an era of artificial intelligence where inaccurate or fabricated legal authorities can easily be generated.

In their concluding remarks, Hon. Lady Justice Patricia Mutesi and Hon. Justice Anthony Wabwire commended the students for the skills demonstrated during the competition. They reminded them that advocacy is an art requiring depth of knowledge, confidence, clear articulation of facts and responsiveness to questions.

They encouraged the students to continue strengthening their legal knowledge, research and advocacy skills, noting that a strong grasp of the law enables lawyers to persuade the court with greater clarity and confidence.

Moot Provides a Platform for Learning and Collaboration

In her closing remarks, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Deputy Dean at SoL thanked the organisers, participants and university community for making the moot a valuable learning experience. She noted that the feedback session was intended to help students learn from the process rather than simply focus on the results.

She also reflected on the long-standing relationships among some participants, who had studied together from primary school through secondary school, law school and the Law Development Centre.

Dr. Nampewo expressed confidence in the deliberations and thanked the university community, the participating teams and Dr. Daniel Ruhweza, Coordinator of Mooting at SoL for their contributions. The event concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation to the participating team and Dr. Ruhweza.

In his address to the congregation, Dr. Daniel Ruhweza, Head-Department of Law and Jurisprudence and Mooting Coordinator at SoL thanked all partners for their invaluable support, the SoL management for providing an enabling environment, and the participating universities for their commitment to the competition.

He expressed his appreciation to the University of Warwick and the Wellcome Trust for their invaluable support in making the event possible. He also recognised Ms. Hadijah Namyalo, a faculty member in his department who is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Warwick, for initiating the collaboration.

Dr. Ruhweza also commended the students for their hard work, dedication and thoughtful engagement throughout the moot, noting that their participation demonstrates the growing role of legal expertise in addressing emerging issues in digital health.

The inaugural moot provided a platform for students to test their advocacy skills while engaging with emerging questions at the intersection of law, technology and healthcare. It also underscored the need for future lawyers to understand not only the law governing digital health, but also the ethical, social and human rights implications of increasingly digital healthcare systems.

View on SoL

First-year Bachelors of Laws (LLB) students at the Makerere University School of Law (SoL) have been challenged to embrace discipline, integrity, critical thinking and a commitment to justice as they begin their legal education journey.

The call was made during the School’s Freshers’ Orientation opening ceremony, on 6^th August 2026 where School leaders, faculty members and student leaders welcomed the new students and outlined the expectations, opportunities and responsibilities that come with studying law.

Professor Ronald Naluwairo, Dean-School of Law congratulated the students upon joining the institution, describing admission to law school as the beginning of a demanding but rewarding journey. He encouraged the freshers to approach their studies with commitment, resilience and hard work, emphasizing the importance of wide reading, active participation in lectures, academic discussions and practical learning opportunities such as moot court competitions, legal aid programmes and community engagements.

He reminded the students that law extends beyond statutes and court decisions, noting that it is fundamentally about people, justice, protection of rights, dispute resolution and service to society.

“Your role as future lawyers is to become custodians of justice and defenders of the rule of law,” he told the students, urging them to embrace diversity, build respectful relationships with their classmates and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.

The Dean stressed that integrity remains one of the most valuable qualities a lawyer can possess, warning that academic dishonesty, misconduct and unethical behaviour could have serious consequences for their future careers. He assured the students that the university and the SoL would provide guidance, mentorship and support throughout their academic journey, while reminding them that their success would ultimately depend on their dedication and effort.

He introduced members of staff and support teams available to assist students before welcoming the Chief Guest, Honourable Justice Martin Steven Egonda-Ntende, retired Justice of the Court of Appeal of Uganda to address the new students.

Justice Egonda-Ntende Calls on Students to Pursue Purpose and Excellence

Justice Egonda-Ntende encouraged the incoming students to approach their university journey with determination, purpose and a commitment to excellence.

Reflecting on his own experience as a first-year student at the same institution 51 years ago, the retired Justice acknowledged that Freshers often begin university life with similar hopes, fears and ambitions. He urged the students to make the most of the opportunity before them.

Congratulating the new students on their admission, he noted that they had been selected from thousands of applicants, demonstrating their academic potential and ability to succeed.

Drawing inspiration from the words of Martin Luther King Jr., Justice Egonda-Ntende challenged the students to discover their purpose and pursue it with dedication, regardless of the profession or role they eventually assume.

He emphasized that excellence is not determined by status or position but by the commitment to perform every responsibility with passion, integrity and dedication.

“Strive to be the best of whatever you are,” he advised the students, adding that a meaningful life is built by giving one’s best in every endeavour.

Students Encouraged to Take Ownership of Their Legal Education

Deputy Dean of SoL, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, congratulated the new students on securing admission, describing it as a significant achievement given the competitive selection process.

She encouraged them to appreciate that legal education requires more than acquiring knowledge; it demands discipline, critical thinking and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Dr. Nampewo informed students that academic activities would begin immediately, with coursework examinations scheduled seven weeks into the semester and contributing 40 percent of their final grades. She urged them to begin preparing from the first day rather than waiting until examinations approach.

She also encouraged participation in extracurricular activities, noting that the SoL aims to produce independent thinkers and well-rounded graduates capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

Assuring students of continued support throughout their four-year programme, she said the Office of the Deputy Dean is available to address academic concerns and guide them through their studies.

Makerere Law Society Welcomes New Members

Rogers Sembajjwe, LLB IV student and President of the Makerere Law Society (MLS) welcomed the incoming students and congratulated them on joining one of Uganda’s leading law schools.

He encouraged the freshers to approach their studies with determination, discipline and a willingness to work hard, noting that the legal education journey would be challenging but rewarding.

Sharing his own experience, he reminded students that every lecturer, administrator and leader they would interact with had once been in their position. He encouraged them to seek guidance whenever they encountered challenges.

The MLS President emphasized the importance of attending lectures consistently, meeting academic deadlines and taking responsibility for their coursework. He warned that failure to submit assignments on time could have serious academic consequences.

He further encouraged students to participate in student activities, including programmes organised by the MLS, highlighting opportunities such as the MLS Sports Gala as platforms for networking, building friendships and maintaining a balanced university experience.

Faculty Members Highlight Academic Excellence and Professional Responsibility

Head of the Department of Commercial Law, Dr. Engoru Ivan, urged students to remain focused on their studies with the goal of achieving academic excellence.

He informed students that they would encounter a wide range of commercial law courses throughout their four years and encouraged them to participate actively in lectures, ask questions and take advantage of every learning opportunity.

Dr. Engoru announced that the semester timetable was ready and advised students to familiarize themselves with academic schedules. He also issued a strong warning against examination malpractice, emphasizing that dishonest practices would attract disciplinary action under university regulations.

He encouraged students to prioritize their physical and emotional well-being, make wise personal choices and avoid distractions that could affect their academic progress.

Meanwhile, Head of the Human Rights and Peace Centre, Dr. Busingye Kabumba, reminded students that studying law carries a responsibility to uphold justice, constitutionalism and human rights.

He noted that fewer than 10 percent of more than 2,000 applicants had been admitted, making their opportunity a privilege that comes with responsibility. He urged students to remain grounded in their values, develop strong consciences and use legal knowledge to challenge injustice and abuses of power.

Dr. Kabumba encouraged them to study foundational constitutional documents and landmark cases ahead of their first classes, emphasizing that preparation and active participation would be essential to their legal training.

Head of the Department of Law and Jurisprudence, Dr. Daniel Ruhweza, welcomed the students to the School and encouraged them to view the next four years as a transformative journey.

He introduced key courses including Introduction to Law, Legal Methods, Land Law, Family Law, Conflict of Laws, Criminology and Penology, and the Law of Evidence. He highlighted the expertise of the School’s faculty and encouraged students to aim for available academic and professional opportunities.

Dr. Ruhweza also urged students to participate in moot court competitions, student organisations and other co-curricular activities, emphasizing that practical skills, leadership and personal growth are important alongside academic achievement.

Dr. Hilda Thopacu encouraged students to approach their studies with purpose and preparation. She advised them to read assigned cases and materials before class, take notes, think critically and relate legal principles to everyday experiences.

She challenged students to reflect on two important questions throughout their studies: “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” emphasizing that understanding personal identity and purpose helps students make better academic and professional choices.

Students Advised to Build Strong Habits from Day One

Ms. Ruth Muhawe encouraged the Freshers to pursue academic excellence through consistency, sacrifice and discipline.

Drawing from her own experience as a law student, she reminded students that success is achieved through daily effort, long hours of preparation and a willingness to make difficult choices.

She encouraged students to participate in activities such as moot courts and legal writing through Makerere Law Journal while maintaining strong academic performance. Addressing the increasing use of artificial intelligence, she urged students to use technology responsibly and ethically rather than relying on it to complete academic work.

Mr. Ernest Wiltshire Kalibbala advised students to embrace university independence responsibly, reminding them that freedom comes with accountability. He encouraged them to manage their time effectively, avoid harmful habits, build positive friendships and remain focused on their purpose as future professionals.

Mr. Kalibbala also urged students facing academic or personal challenges to seek support, emphasizing the importance of attending lectures, learning directly from lecturers and making the most of the opportunities available at university.

During an interactive session, faculty members responded to students’ questions on academic expectations, case reading, classroom participation, human rights discussions, volunteering opportunities and responsible use of artificial intelligence in legal studies. Students were encouraged to engage critically, uphold academic integrity and take advantage of opportunities available within the School.

The orientation opening ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment from the School of Law to support the incoming students as they begin their journey toward becoming future legal professionals.

The orientation programme for undergraduate and graduate students will conclude on August 7, 2026, with a series of presentations planned from key university departments, including the Academic Registrar’s Office, Information Technology (IT), Counselling and Guidance, Gender Mainstreaming, the Bursar’s Office, the Library, and Student Leadership. The sessions are expected to equip students with essential information and support services to facilitate a smooth transition into university life and academic success.