Law
SoL LLM Orientation 2025: “Keep your Eyes on the Goal” Students Advised
Makerere University School of Law (SoL) held its orientation meeting for the Master of Laws (LLM) 1st year students on the 13th August 2025 in the SoL Auditorium. SoL leadership, Department of Academic Registrar (AR) and Makerere University Directorate of Graduate Training facilitated the meeting.
In his address to the students, Dr. Busingye Kabumba – Head, Human Rights and Peace Centre and SoL Graduate Studies Coordinator welcomed the LLM students to Makerere University and SoL. “I wish to remind you that one plus one equals two, the students must do their bit and we as staff pledge to do our bit. I encourage you to attend classes, handle all assignments on time, and it is my hope that you comply with the University policies”, Dr Busingye Kabumba advised.
He implored the students to hit the ground running and be committed to their studies. “SoL has organised that proposal defence is in year one – semester two so that students have working drafts by year two, this will allow you to finish the programme on time”, he said. Dr. Busingye Kabumba referenced a precedent where a student completed his LLM within one and half years at SoL, which showed that completion in less than two years is possible with commitment.
“It is my honour and pleasure to welcome you through the gates of Makerere; I also congratulate you on your admission to LLM, we had so many applicants but we only admitted 124. You don’t choose Makerere but she chooses you. You are lucky to be taught by the legal brains at SoL, all recognized academics in their areas of specialty”, Dr. Zahara Nampewo – Deputy Dean, SoL said in her welcome remarks.
Dr. Nampewo advised the students thus, “This is a 2-year (4 semester) study programme, consider this to be day one of your new story book, you have been admitted in 2025 and it is our hope that you will be graduating in January 2028”.
She further added, “You have your reasons as to why you are enrolling for the LLM and which you wish to fulfill, I therefore take this opportunity to underscore the importance of hard work, determination and resilience. Take the LLM as a full-time engagement, allow us to teach you and help us to help you”.
Dr. Nampewo encouraged the students to partake in the various opportunities at SoL besides academics, specifically highlighting the summer schools that students have attended in Europe with support from partners. She also told the students to note that Makerere is a sexual harassment free institution; exclusivity, equal opportunity, gender balance are core values of the University.
Highlighting that SoL has an open-door policy, students were advised to talk to their lecturers for support when challenges arise. “Nothing is insurmountable, every journey starts with a small step”, Dr. Nampewo said.
In his remarks, the Dean-SoL, Assoc. Professor Ronald Naluwairo welcomed the LLM students to Makerere University and congratulated them on the admission to our distinguished LLM programme. He said, “LLM is quiet demanding but doable, a level of commitment and resilience is required. I urge you to attend all your classes”.
Assoc. Professor Naluwairo told the students, regardless of whichever law school you attended for your Bachelor of Laws (LLB), you are now at a Centre of Legal Excellence, work and support one another. “On behalf of SoL, we commit total support to ensure that you succeed in your studies, I also urge you to take responsibility, read and be willing to work”, the Dean advised.
Dr. Mike Barongo, Deputy Registrar in Charge of ICT Division, represented the Academic Registrar’ Department; welcoming the students, he said “this is a great place to be, a premier law school”. He explained to the students what the role of the AR’ Department entails, including application, admission, registration, custody of student records and graduation.
Dr. Barongo highlighted key tasks for new students: activation of students portal, enrolling for recognition as a student, generating payment reference numbers. He advised that where challenges are experienced, the School Registrars are available for support as well as a Support Centre at the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) by Makerere University Directorate of ICT.
“Keep your eyes on the goal of why you are here, leave with a master’s degree”, Mr. Laban Lwasa, SoL Registrar told the students. He congratulated them on their excellent performance which earned them a place on the LLM programme. Elucidating the role of the registrar, he said, “We receive you, track your performance, walk with you till graduation and issue your transcript after graduation”. He explained that until they enroll, they aren’t students and they should do so as soon as possible. Mr. Lwasa also clarified the documents required for registration including full admission letter, payment receipts, LLB transcript and certificate, birth certificate and valid ID.
Dr. Dan Ngabirano and Dr. Diana Ahumuza Ateenyi, both faculty at SoL also spoke to the LLM students. They reiterated the message of hard work, commitment, support of others and resilience. They also encouraged the students to understand the elective course-units available to them and the faculty specialisations which will inform their choice of dissertation supervisors.
In his address to the students, Assoc. Professor Julius Kikooma, Director-Graduate Training welcomed scholars to Makerere University, a place of knowledge, discovery and transformation. He said, “we are thrilled to have you join our vibrant and dynamic community of scholars at one of Africa’s leading research universities. Your decision to pursue graduate studies here reflects your courage to lead, your passion to learn, and your desire to contribute meaningfully to your field and to society at large”.
Assoc. Professor Kikoma reminded the students that graduate studies are more than a degree, it is a lifeblood of a nation’s vitality and driver of its socio-economic transformation. He added, “graduate research is a strategic national asset, not just about producing knowledge for knowledge’s sake but generating insights, innovations and solutions that: respond to pressing societal challenges and inform evidence-based policy”.
He encouraged the students that as they make choices for their dissertations to select topics that will contribute to Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the forthcoming National Development Plan IV.
A question-and-answer session followed where students sought clarifications on presentations from the various speakers.
Law
Call for Applications – Makerere University School of Law-Leiden University Exchange Scholarship
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.
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