Law
SoL Orientation 2025: ‘Always strive to Excel, avoid Mediocrity’, Law Freshers advised
Orientation for the law freshmen and women was held on the 7th-8th August 2025 with guest speakers including: Hon. Medard Lubega Sseggona (Senior Partner-Lukwago and Co. Advocates; Member of Parliament for Busiro County East, Dr. Patricia Acan Okiria (Deputy Inspector General of Government) and Hon. Lady Justice Sarah Langa-Siu (Judge of the High Court of Uganda) who was the Chief Guest.
The freshers were advised to excel in whatever they do and avoid mediocrity. Priority setting, time-keeping and making the right choices were highlighted as key issues to ensure success while at Law School. This is the 57th Bachelor of Laws (LLB) class since the Makerere University School of Law (SoL) began in 1968.
In his address to the new students, the Dean – Assoc. Professor Ronald Naluwairo welcomed them to Makerere University and School of Law. He said, “Be proud to be here among the select 280 students admitted for the Bachelor of Laws out of over 2600 applicants. You are at the best law school with faculty prepared to teach you and multiple resources available to you, utilise them”.
Assoc. Professor Naluwairo advised the students that study of the law is laborious; therefore to excel one must remain disciplined, focus on studies, attend classes and do assignments on time. He cautioned the Freshers to avoid vices like excessive use of social media, substance (alcohol & drugs) abuse, addiction to smartphones and sports betting. He said, “These are distractions which may lead to failure and eventually dismissal from the university”.
The Dean welcomed the guest speakers who are all alumni of SoL for making the time to attend the orientation to inspire, guide and advise the freshers on excelling through Law School.
In his speech to the law freshmen and women, Hon. Medard Lubega Sseggona said, “It is an incredible honour to be back where my journey began in 1997, testament to what this University can make you. Law School is not about cramming and academic excellence doesn’t come by accident. One must create a structure/study routine and stick to it; mentorship from senior colleagues and lecturers is important; and while colleagues, mentors and lecturers will support you, this is your journey and you must take responsibility and do the work to succeed”. He congratulated Makerere University on the new School of Law Building which he said will improve the ambience for the students.
On strategy on how to ace law school, he advised students to create case summaries, read ahead, read law books not pamphlets, be participatory in class and discuss with colleagues. “Treat law as a full-time job, employed as full-time students” he added. Highlighting the various opportunities for a law graduate, he explained that a good degree will open doors and several paths including private practice, corporate organisations, human rights and legal aid, government departments and agencies, research and academics, politics and policy, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution among others.
“Challenges exist as well like academic pressures to study, many have passed and so will you; laziness and poor time keeping. Stay focused, avoid distractions, build a reputation through honesty and continue professional development even when you complete your bachelor’s degree” Hon Sseggona further advised.
In conclusion, Hon. Sseggona implored the students to be curious, be kind through lifting others, share information and choose the right friends.
In his remarks to the law freshmen and women, Mr. Okuku Gordon Phillip – SoL Guild Council Chairperson and President – Makerere Law Society welcomed the students to the School. He said, “You have made it to SoL, a premier law school on the continent. This is an institution with a legacy that has produced judges and outstanding legal practitioners, people who have framed the legal and policy framework of the country and beyond”.
Okuku reminded the students that opportunities are many as long as they make the right choices. “Joining Makerere is an achievement but remember your work lies ahead”, he said. It is important that you remain accountable and have integrity in all that you do and respect the tireless work of the academic staff who are here to support you, he further advised.
“This place will model you; challenge yourself to participate in the various activities available to you and may this journey prepare you to change the world”, Okuku said.
“Lectures are a full-time requirement and should be attended fully. In the 7th week, you will be tested for coursework which is 40% of your total mark”, Dr. Zahara Nampewo – Deputy Dean, SoL pointed out to the students. She guided the students to read, use the resources available to them and cautioned them against using artificial intelligence because plagiarism tests are conducted on their work. She further reminded the students that academics has no shortcuts.
“Distinguish yourself, be mindful of your social media footprint and self-presentation. Also remember today is the first day of your new book, story about your future”, Dr. Nampewo urged.
Quoting C.S. Lewis, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria encouraged the students to carry a mind-set of integrity throughout their legal education and future careers. She advised the students to desist from arrogance but be confident, work hard remain determined and fear God.
In her talk to the students, Hon. Sarah Langa-Siu advised the students to be thankful of being where they are. “Always strive to excel, avoid mediocrity, have a priority list and remember the sacrifices of your parents and the pain they will suffer if you don’t complete your studies”, she guided.
Lady Justice Langa-Siu highlighted the following tips:
- Pursue a good degree ( don’t get pass degrees)
- Enjoy your youth but remain responsible and organised
- Cultivate a positive brand
- Seek mentorship but be teachable
- Visualise your future and work to get there
- Have a positive can-do attitude
“There is a campus buffet for you to survive university, you have access to a wide range of friends including good and bad. Keep your eyes, ears open to discern and judge wisely; don’t lose focus; do the right thing at the right time; choose the right role models; avoid opportunities for quick money, HIV, STIs and unwanted pregnancies”, Justice Langa-Siu tipped.
Quoting Psalm 90:2, the judge reminded the students to remain focused on their studies and align God in their life. “Also remember that while this degree is yours, it has many stakeholders”, she added.
The Heads of Department and Faculty talked to students about life at campus and setting the pace for hard work in order to survive Law School.
Dr. Ivan Engoru, SoL Timetable and Examination Coordinator moved a vote of thanks to the guest speakers on behalf of the School.
Orientation continued on the day 2 with presentations from School Registrar, Finance Office, Guidance and Counselling, Library, Directorate of ICT, Safe Guarding Unit among others. A networking session with student leaders as well as associations and clubs was also held.
The School of Law (SoL) presented a total of 362 graduands for conferment of degrees on Day 1 of the 76th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University. The graduands included 3 Doctor of Laws (LLD), 71 Master of Laws (LLM) and 288 Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
Doctor of Laws were awarded to Lydia Namateefu Kisekka, Oscar Kambona and Aimé Fidèle Ndayishimiye. Master of Laws were awarded to 26 female and 45 male while the Bachelor of Laws awardees were 124 female and 164 male.
Nuwamanya Raymond Jerry and Aijuka Allan attained first class degrees for the LLB with CGPA of 4.42 and 4.41 respectively.
For Day 1, School of Law, College of Education and External Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and College of Computing and Information Sciences presented graduands for conferment of degrees and award of diplomas. The 76th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University will continue till Friday 27th February 2026.
Speaking to the congregation, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe – Vice Chancellor, Makerere University welcomed everyone to Makerere University’s 76th Graduation. He congratulated the 9,295 graduands comprising 4,262 (46%) female graduates and 5,033 (54%) male graduands who will be awarded degrees and diplomas through the graduation week; 213 graduands are PhD recipients. He commended the efforts of staff, parents, and sponsors in supporting the students’ journeys.
In his remarks, Professor Nawangwe praised the milestones of Makerere’s Colleges and Schools, highlighting the School of Law as a distinguished centre of academic excellence in legal education, training and scholarship. ‘In the 2025, pre-entry examinations for the Law Development Centre post-graduate bar course, 94% of our students who sat the exams, passed and were admitted. The performance reflects not only the intellectual caliber of our students, but also the School’s rigorous curriculum and commitment of the faculty’, he noted.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated the School of Law and student teams that excelled at the Phillip C. Jessup Moot Competition and Boston International Innovation Moot; the teams will represent Uganda at international rounds of the competitions due to take place in Washington DC, USA and Vienna, Austria respectively later in the year. Professor Nawangwe said, ‘The accomplishments reinforces the School’s growing reputation as a leader in mooting, legal research and scholarship. The students’ performances exhibit excellent advocacy skills as well as deep analytical skills in public international law and team work’.
Prof. Nawangwe reiterated the University’s transformation to a research-led institution expressing appreciation to the Government of Uganda for providing critical resources supporting more than 1,400 high-impact research and innovation projects. He highlighted some of the on-going projects at various colleges which have empowered researchers and innovators to deepen Makerere University’s contribution to national development priorities. Mentioned projects included: “Healthy Soy” initiative to combat child malnutrition amid climate change; Scaled innovative cocoa fermentation technology, with over 70% adoption among farmers in major cocoa-producing districts; fully digital Public Universities Joint Admissions (PUJAB) process via ACMIS, cutting admissions costs by over 50% among others.
Addressing graduands, Professor Nawangwe encouraged them to embrace entrepreneurship, uphold integrity, and serve society with distinction. Graduates were also invited to participate in the upcoming Makerere University Careers Fair scheduled for March 11–13, 2026, to facilitate transition into the workplace. ‘As you leave the gates of Makerere, always be proud of your Alma Mater and be good ambassadors wherever you’, he urged the graduates.
Professor Nicholas Ozor, the Executive Director of the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), Nairobi-Kenya delivered the commencement speech on Day 1 of the graduation. He advised the graduands that ‘beyond your disciplines, character will outlive your certificate, your integrity will open doors your degree cannot, your humility will teach you lessons success never will, your resilience will matter more than your grades, and you will fail at times but let failure refine you—not define you’.
He encouraged the graduands to remember five principles: Embrace lifelong learning, the world changes too fast for static knowledge; Choose purpose over comfort, impact matters more than income; Build character before career, skills get you hired, character sustains you; Serve something larger than yourself, give back to your communities and your country; and believe in Africa—and act, do not wait for solutions from elsewhere, be the solution.
To the Parents and Guardians, Professor Ozor said, ‘Today, you graduate too, your sacrifices—financial, emotional, and spiritual—are written into every certificate awarded. Thank you for believing when it was difficult, for supporting when it was inconvenient, and for hoping when the future seemed uncertain’.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, the State Minister for Primary Education, Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, said the Government had deliberately deepened investment in higher education to position universities as drivers of national development.
Hon. Kaducu described the establishment of the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (RIF) as a major milestone, noting that it supports high-impact research aligned to national priorities and has enabled thousands of researchers to deliver practical solutions benefiting communities across Uganda. She also highlighted Parliament’s approval of a 162 million US dollar concessional loan from the Korea EXIM Bank to upgrade science, technology and innovation infrastructure at Makerere University, including modern laboratories, smart classrooms and advanced facilities for engineering and health sciences, to better prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The minister announced plans to construct a national stadium at Makerere and other higher education institutions to promote sports development and talent identification. She reiterated the directive for all universities to fully implement Competence-Based Education and Training by July 2027, urging Makerere to lead curriculum reform, staff training and infrastructure development while ensuring satellite campuses meet full accreditation and uphold academic standards, transparency and accountability.
Addressing graduates, Hon. Kaducu encouraged them to become job creators in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and education, and to leverage opportunities like the Parish Development Model for entrepreneurship. She commended Makerere’s leadership and partners and congratulated the Class of 2026 on their achievement.
In his address to the congregation, Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga – Chancellor, Makerere University congratulated graduands upon making it to the 76th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University. He described their achievement as a milestone in both personal growth and national development, urging them to apply their knowledge creatively to benefit society. He acknowledged the contribution of academic staff, administrators, the University Council, and expressed gratitude to the Government of Uganda and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for continued support.
Dr. Kiyonga called on the university community to strengthen research, expand private sector partnerships, and leverage technology to address Uganda’s development challenges. Emphasising research as central to national progress, Dr. Kiyonga noted the Government’s UGX 30 billion investment annually in the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF) and praised the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat, Office of the President for supporting initiatives at the University advancing homegrown solutions to national challenges. He also highlighted a strengthened partnership with the Korean government, securing a USD 162 million loan from the Korea Exim Bank to boost infrastructure and staff capacity.
While acknowledging limited formal employment opportunities, he encouraged graduates to innovate and create jobs. He further commended the university’s digitalization efforts and outlined four priorities: increased research funding, private sector collaboration, community engagement, and effective use of technology. During the 76th graduation ceremony running from the 24th -27th February, 2026, a total of 9,295 graduands will be awarded degrees and diplomas in various disciplines. Of these, 213 will receive PhDs, 2,503 Masters Degrees, 206 postgraduate Diplomas, 6,343 Bachelor’s Degrees and 30 Diplomas. 46% of the graduands are female and 54% are male.
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