Law
Justice Egonda Urges Makerere Scholars to Lead Constitutional Review, develop National Scorecard for Public Office Performance
By Zaam Ssali and Jane Anyango
Kampala, Nov. 20, 2025 – Justice Egonda urged Makerere University scholars to spearhead a thorough review of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution and to design a national scoreboard to evaluate constitutional office holders. He said academia—particularly the School of Law—should draft a model constitution to guide national discussions on governance and judicial independence.
Court of Appeal Judge, His Lordship Martin Stephen Egonda made the call delivering a keynote address at a conference to commemorate the World Philosophy Day at Makerere University on 19-20 November 2025.
Justice Egonda warned that Uganda’s constitutional order is deteriorating requiring urgent reforms, urging academia to take lead. He called for two major initiatives: a comprehensive review of the 1995 Constitution and the creation of a national performance scoreboard to evaluate the performance of constitutional officeholders. Egonda argued that universities have the expertise to guide constitutional reform, design a model constitution, and generate independent performance data to strengthen accountability.
He also called for clear, measurable indicators to assess judges’ and public officials’ performance, noting that current Judiciary reports lack qualitative depth. He advised that Universities can provide independent data and constitution-based metrics. He stressed that such a scoreboard would create awareness about compliance with constitutional obligations, fight abuse of public trust and defend the Constitution by promoting obedience to constitutional mandates. “To sum it up, it would be an act of exacting accountability from holders of constitutional and public offices,” he said.
Justice Egonda cited serious constitutional failures—especially within the Judiciary—highlighting extreme delays in criminal appeals where some inmates completed long sentences before their appeals were heard. He highlighted the systemic dysfunction in case management, unreliable digital judicial systems, leadership vacuums in the Judiciary.
Justice Egonda highlighted a recent judicial review in Kabale, where the Deputy Chief Justice held an open session with stakeholders. A representative from Ndorwa Main Prison reported that 20 inmates had waited months for High Court judgments, with no mechanism to address the delay. Initial checks of the judiciary’s computerized management system showed no pending judgments. However, after updating records following the prison’s submission, officials confirmed the existence of stalled criminal cases and pending judgments, particularly due to transfers of trial judges.
Panelists responded with broader reflections. Dr. Miria Matembe warned that Uganda now has a “constitution without constitutionalism,” arguing that power has been captured and constitutional safeguards eroded, including Parliament’s independence. She urged citizens to reclaim constitutional power, confront corruption, and defend truth even at personal cost.
Professor Chris Mbazira praised Egonda’s condor but emphasized that constitutional reforms alone are inadequate without accompanying political transformation. He said Uganda’s hybrid regime—where informal power overrides formal institutions—must be dismantled for true constitutionalism to take root.
Former Constituent Assembly delegate Hon. Loice Bwambale urged Ugandans, especially youth, to take responsibility for preserving constitutional gains and addressing unresolved issues such as regional representation and land questions. She called for election of principled leaders, civic engagement, and careful review of entrenched constitutional provisions tied to public participation.
Overall, the plenary discussions underscored that restoring constitutionalism in Uganda requires institutional accountability, political reform, citizen activism, and renewed respect for constitutional principles. Specific issues raised during discussion included:
- Accountability necessary for elective positions and offices
- Introduction of term limits for all elective positions
- Ugandans have been conditioned to accept a mediocre leadership model
- The elites including researchers and academia advised to inspire the general population to get involved in constitutionalism
- Sensitization and civic education for members requiring more information. It was noted some
- members have given up hope for any change
- A National dialogue for all Ugandans. The recommendations be cascaded to the population
- and for appreciation by the population who think constitutionalism doesn’t concern them
- Reflect the disintegration of our neighbours like Sudan for lessons to Ugandans
- Commitment by the leaders to hand over power peacefully
- Each of us ask what role everyone can play
The 2025 World Philosophy Day conference at Makerere University concluded with strong calls for renewed constitutional reflection, ethical leadership, and civic responsibility as Uganda marks 30 years of the 1995 Constitution.
Delivering closing remarks, UNATCOM’ Dr. Pauline Achola, emphasized philosophy’s role in promoting peace, ethical reasoning, and sustainable development. She urged continued examination of the constitution’s gains and gaps and reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment to
supporting commemoration of the World Philosophy Day dialogue in Uganda.
In his speech, Bernard Nkone of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung highlighted major achievements under the 1995 Constitution—human rights, separation of powers, gender equality, and civic participation—while warning that challenges such as corruption, political polarization, and limited access to justice persist. He stressed empowering youth to protect democratic values.
Prof. Robert Wamala – Director Research and Innovations, represented Prof. Sarah Ssali -Deputy Vice Chancellor/Academic Affairs Makerere University. Reading her speech, he underscored philosophy’s importance in fostering ethical leadership and active citizenship. He urged participants to translate conference discussions into policy influence and civic engagement.
The conference ended with recognition of student representatives from the Makerere University Philosophers’ Society, emphasizing youth contribution in national dialogue.
Zaam Ssali and Jane Anyango are Communication Officers for School of Law & CHUSS respectively.
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.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 23rd June 2026 during his visitation to Colleges, Stand-alone Schools and Institutes to discuss management and administration of graduate training and research commended the School of Law (SoL) Leadership and Faculty on attaining the 40% Graduate Student enrolment target as per the University Strategic Plan. Citing examples of the U.S. and China, he noted that a country’s PhD per capita correlates with capacity to develop, and therefore encouraged SoL to keep improving graduate training and research output.
Prof. Nawangwe commended the School’s Staff Colloquia Series and research priorities on Environmental Law, especially Water, noting that this compliments institutional efforts to establish specialized Graduate programmes like the proposed collaborative Masters in Environmental Diplomacy with the University of Padova. He therefore reassured the School of support in establishment of new Centres of Excellence and revitalization of the Environment Law Centre (ELC) as well as measures to address staff promotion and recruitment.
Commending the School’s longstanding collaboration with the University of Pretoria particularly through the Master’s in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA), the Vice Chancellor urged faculty to forge more partnerships especially those that incorporate joint degree supervision. “We were able to graduate hundreds of PhDs with Sida support due to joint supervision arrangements with Swedish institutions” he elaborated.
The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by the Academic Registrar-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Director Graduate Training-Prof. Julius Kikooma, Head Makerere Writing Centre-Prof. Fredrick Muyodi, Managing Editor of Makerere University Press (MakPress)-Prof. William Tayeebwa and Mr. Andrew Mwesigwa from the Makerere University Library. They were received at SoL by the Dean-Prof. Ronald Naluwairo, Deputy Dean-Dr. Zahara Nampewo, and the School’s leadership and faculty.
Addressing the meeting, Prof. Naluwairo thanked the University Council and Management under the leadership of Prof. Nawangwe for prioritizing infrastructure development that paved way for the construction and furnishing of the new School of Law Building. “Every member of staff now has an office”, he added. This development, he noted, that has made the School environment more conducive for work, student supervision and personal study.
The Dean reported that SoL currently has 414 graduate students, with 41 enrolled for the Doctor of Laws (LLD). He nevertheless added that only twenty three (23) faculty are eligible to teach and supervise graduate students, which impacts their workload. It was on this note that the requested the Management team to prioritise recruitment and promotions for the School.
In terms of research output, Prof. Naluwairo highlighted the East African Journal of Peace and Human Rights (EAJPHR) produced by the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), the Makerere Law Journal produced by Students, as well as the HURIPEC and Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC) Working Paper Series as the School’s main publication avenues. He nevertheless called for the approval of specialized Master of Laws (LLM) programmes, additional support for graduate students’ support services and increased Graduate Fellows’ appointments to further boost the School’s output.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi in his submission commended the SoL on its world renowned and well respected status, as observed from a recent working visit to the European University Institute (EUI) in Italy. He therefore urged the School to take advantage of this rich legacy by further expanding their frontier of collaboration internationally and attracting more Honorary and Adjunct Professors to help supervise and mentor graduate students.
Contributing to the discussion, Prof. Julius Kikooma congratulated SoL on attaining the Graduate Student Enrolment target and added that this would be further boosted with the roll-out of the Research Information Management System (RIMS) to track graduate students’ milestones. He equally informed the meeting that a curriculum on graduate supervision is being development in partnership with the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (CTLS), to help standardize and guide the process.
Additionally, Prof. Fredrick Muyodi reassured the School of Law of the his Centre’s readiness to provide training that can help improve the writing of grants, reports and dissertations so as to further boost research output. The Centre has, in keeping with current trends, organized training on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in writing and research output. Also in the pipeline are trainings on writing policy briefs, and a writing retreat in collaboration with MakPress to help finalists complete of theses and dissertations on time.
The Managing Editor, Prof. Tayeebwa congratulated SoL upon the East African Journal of Peace and Human Rights (EAJPHR)’s consistent production since 1993. He equally expressed MakPress’ readiness to digitize and assign International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) and Digital Object Identifier (DOI) identifiers to further boost the publication’s visibility. “We are ready to work with you to establish any other journals you have ideas for” he added.
The discussions concluded with the Vice Chancellor’s reassurance of the continued protection of academic freedom, whereupon he urged the SoL faculty to feature more prominently in the Kampala Geopolitics Conference, where the African perspective is integrated into discussions of current geopolitical issues. The visit was concluded with a tour of the SoL Moot Court.
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