Orientation of the 56th LLB Class

On the 8th August 2024, the Makerere University School of Law (MakSoL) welcomed the 56th LLB class at an orientation meeting with guest speakers including Hon. Lady Justice Harriet Grace Magala, Judge of the High Court; Advocate Joseph Luswata, Partner – S&L Advocates; and Advocate Hussein Kashillingi, Partner – Kashillingi Rugaba & Co. Advocates. The main message from all speakers including the guest speakers, MakSoL leadership, administrators, faculty and student leaders was focus, hard work, proper time management and positive attitude.

In his remarks, Dr. Ronald Naluwairo – Ag. Principal, MakSoL congratulated the freshmen and women for making it to Makerere out of the 2800 applicants who sat for the Law Pre-entry where only 290 were admitted. He said, ‘Take yourselves to be very luck, there is no better place to study law. We have the best law teachers, library resources, infrastructure in Uganda and the region’. Dr. Naluwairo introduced staff and the guest speakers, pledged commitment that MakSoL leadership and staff will do all their means to ensure the success of the students and encouraged students to works hard. The Ag. Principal also advised, ‘your success in this programme depends on the choices you are going to make starting now. Beyond studies, explore other things but responsibly’.

Expressing her pleasure to have the opportunity to speak to the students, Lady Justice Harriet Grace Magala welcomed them to MakSoL. She advised that, ‘4 years run so fast, remain focused and desist from behaviours that will affect your time and performance at Law School highlighting early pregnancy, alcoholism, drug abuse, early marriages, over sharing on social media among others’. She noted that it’s important to take the reading lists shared seriously as well as understanding the law principals which makes time at Law Development Centre easier. She added, the opportunities for lawyers in the public and private sectors are numerous but one must set goals early and hard work starts now.

Advocate Husseini Kashillingi also welcomed the freshers to Law School, noting that it is a privilege for them to be hear. He highlighted the importance of discipline, peaceful dialogue, smart dressing and presentation of self. Advocate Kashillingi advised thus, ‘from the outset work hard, have a positive attitude, manage the freedom at university well, time management is key. Your inspiration to read law is best known to you therefore reflect on it and work towards it’.

Advocate Joseph Luswata advised the students to not be intimidated by whichever background they came from. He encouraged hard work, reading, interest in the programme and profession, understanding the principals of the law. He encouraged the students to distinguish themselves, perform highly and opportunities will pour in and to start preparing for employment now.

In her remarks, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Ag. Deputy Principal – MakSoL welcomed the freshers to the School. Encouraging the students to read, she quoted President Thomas Jefferson who said ‘a lawyer without books would be like a workman without tools’. She noted that graduation for this cohort is 2029, therefore they must work hard to graduate on time.

Dr. Nampewo also moved vote of thanks to the guest speakers who had spared time to attend the orientation and inspire the future lawyers.