Law Council Committee on Annual Inspection of SoL
On 13th May 2026, the Committee on Legal Education and Training (CLET), a sub-committee of the Law Council responsible for overseeing legal education and continuing legal training in Uganda, conducted its annual inspection visit of the Makerere University School of Law (SoL). The inspection formed part of the committee’s mandate under the Advocates Act to assess standards of legal training institutions and ensure continued excellence in legal education and professional development.
Ms. Jane Bitek Langoya and Ms. Gillian Diana Kabahuma composed the CLET team. They engaged with the SoL leadership, staff, and students in a comprehensive review exercise that began earlier in the day. Speaking during the visit, members of the inspection team emphasized the critical role played by CLET in regulating legal education and supervising continuing legal education for advocates, which is tied to the renewal of practising certificates for lawyers in Uganda.
In her welcome remarks while receiving the visitors, the Deputy Dean of SoL, Dr. Zahara Nampewo expressed apologies from Prof. Ronald Naluwairo, Dean-SoL who was unable to join the meeting because he was attending to other official duties. Dr. Nampewo gave highlights about SoL’ admission numbers, lecturer student ratios, new developments among other issues. She noted that plans are underway to recruit new academic staff amidst the growing number of applicants to all degree programmes offered at SoL explaining that unfortunately, all can’t be admitted.
During the engagement, the inspection team toured facilities at the School, including the smart classroom and library, while also reviewing reference materials and learning infrastructure. Discussions highlighted the School’s ongoing investments in technology-enhanced learning, particularly the use of smart classrooms to facilitate interactive and globally connected legal education. The team noted the growing importance of online and hybrid teaching approaches in modern legal training.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to discuss student welfare and institutional improvements arising from previous inspection recommendations. Areas such as learning spaces, student support facilities and inclusive learning environments were highlighted as part of the School’s commitment to continuous improvement.
The inspection team from CLET commended the School for maintaining strong academic standards and expressed confidence in the progress made, while also encouraging continued innovation and enhancement of legal education delivery.
The CLET team also paid a courtesy call to the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor and held meeting with Prof. Sarah Ssali. She expressed her commitment in supporting the SoL as they work to innovate and improve legal training for Uganda. Prof. Ssali highlighted the plans that Makerere University is undertaking to improve online teaching and learning supported by development partners. She also noted the on-going plans to align with the directive from the Ministry of Education and Sports to change all curriculum to competency-based.
