Students Train Kawempe Division Councillors on Local Governance and Access to Justice

The Public Interest Law Access Clinic (PILAC) of Makerere University School of Law (SoL), in partnership with Kawempe Division of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), conducted a legal outreach training for Division Councillors on 20 August 2026 at the Kawempe Division Council Chambers. The training was supervised by Dr Atim Patricia P’Odong, Lecturer at SoL and focused on strengthening local governance, accountability and access to justice, with particular emphasis on the role of Local Council Courts in reducing case backlog.

Delivered by third-year Bachelor of Laws (LLB III) students, the training covered the roles and responsibilities of councillors, press freedom and community engagement, budget transparency, child protection, and the jurisdiction and operation of Local Council Courts. The facilitators emphasised the importance of councillors understanding the Local Governments Act, the Constitution and the applicable Rules of Procedure. They encouraged regular community consultations, accountability visits to public service facilities and greater transparency in council proceedings and budget management.

Masoko Christine and Lora Mugumya presenting jointly to the Kawempe Division Council.

Discussions on child protection highlighted the responsibility of local leaders to prevent underage access to alcohol, monitor compliance by alcohol-selling establishments and refer child protection cases to the relevant authorities. Particular attention was given to Local Council Courts as a means of resolving eligible civil and customary disputes at the grassroots. PILAC facilitators, Mr. Basalirwa Ismail and Mr. Kimbowa Stanley, explained the courts’ jurisdiction, composition, procedures and appeal mechanisms under the Local Council Courts Act, Cap. 18. They stressed that properly constituted and functional courts can resolve community disputes efficiently, reduce unnecessary cases reaching magistrates’ courts and contribute to easing pressure on the formal justice system.

The facilitators urged councillors to ensure that Local Council Courts are operational, properly constituted and compliant with the rules of natural justice. They also highlighted the importance of proper record-keeping, impartial hearings and respect for the statutory limits of each court’s jurisdiction.

The training featured constructive discussions with the Division leadership. Speaker Hon. Mayombwe Daniel emphasised the need for councillors to understand the laws governing their responsibilities, while Mr. Geoffrey Rwakabale, Town Clerk –Kawempe Division highlighted the importance of induction, public accountability and community participation. In her closing remarks, the Deputy Mayor commended PILAC for the initiative and encouraged councillors to apply the knowledge gained, particularly in strengthening Local Council Courts.

As a way forward, PILAC recommended that Kawempe Division assess the functionality of its Local Council Courts, improve record-keeping, ensure public display of approved budgets and designate persons responsible for children’s affairs at the local level. A follow-up training involving practical court simulations was also proposed.

Part of the team that represented SoL under PILAC.

The engagement reaffirmed SoL and PILAC’s commitment to promoting legal awareness, accountable local leadership and access to justice through community-based legal education. By strengthening the capacity of councillors and improving the operation of Local Council Courts, the initiative aims to support effective dispute resolution and reduce case backlog in Uganda’s formal justice system.