School of Law Bi-Annual Report: January to June 2024
This is the Makerere University School of Law Bi-Annual Report for the months of January to June 2024. The report highlights the major activities undertaken during the reporting period and some of our major outputs in light of our core mandate of teaching, research and community outreach.
At the 74th graduation ceremony of Makerere University that commenced on Monday 29th January 2024, the School presented a total of 285 graduands for award of degrees at different levels. 264 were awarded Bachelor of Laws degrees, 20 were awarded Master of Laws degrees and 1 was awarded Doctor of Laws degree. At the same function, on recommendation of the School of Law, Hon. Justice Fredrick Martin Egonda-Ntende was awarded a Doctor of Laws honoris causa in recognition of his professional achievements and distinguished service to the Legal Profession in Uganda and globally. Hon. Betty Bigombe was awarded a Doctor of Laws honoris causa for her outstanding achievements and contribution to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace building and post-conflict reconstruction in Uganda, Eastern Africa and globally.
To improve on our teaching approaches and methodologies, a pedagogical retooling workshop was organized for academic staff on 1st and 2nd March 2024. The workshop provided opportunity to staff to learn and engage with different pedagogical approaches to teaching law in a rapid changing world and legal profession. It also provided a platform for peer to peer learning with respect to effective techniques in the teaching of the law both within and outside the classroom.
With the enhanced knowledge and skills from the pedagogical retooling training, the faculty successfully conducted the teaching for Semester II Academic Year 2023/24. Examinations for Semester II were also successfully conducted. During the reporting period, our students also participated and excelled in different moot court competitions nationally and internationally. From 17th-28th June 2024, 3 members of faculty and 4 LLM students attended and participated in the European University Institute’s Academy of European Law Summer Course on Human Rights in Florence, Italy.
The major research highlight for the period was the publication and launch of the study report on “Militarization of Economic Sectors and Public Institutions in Uganda”. The findings not only indicate a steady deployment of UPDF soldiers in key sectors but also a growing manifestation of militarization of the public sector. The report explores the impact of militarization on the economy and what needs to be done to mitigate the negative effects.
With respect to community outreach, our faculty and students participated in a number of initiatives and activities. These were mainly undertaken by our different units in particular, the Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC), the Refugee Law Project (RLP) and the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC). Among these included: training of police officers on juvenile justice; training of judicial officers on juvenile justice; a students’ community outreach activity to Luzira Prison to provide legal aid services to female prisoners; creating awareness on Arbitration among students; stakeholders’ needs assessment of fishing communities in Mukono district and; a students’ community engagement in Nsambya on legal considerations for entrepreneurs in setting up and successfully running business enterprises in Uganda.
Related to community outreach, during the reporting period, the School organized and hosted two important dialogues/discussions on topical issues. On 24th January 2024, we hosted a Panel Discussion on “Climate Change’s Decarbonization Dilemmas, Charcoal and Conflict”. The event was presided over by Hon. Dan Jorgensen, Demark’s Minister for Development Cooperation and Minister for Global Climate. On 26 April 2024, we hosted Denmark’s Special Representative for UN Security Council candidature Mr. Holger K. Nielsen for a discussion on prominent and emerging issues of concern on peace and security, climate change, women and vulnerable groups in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
On behalf of the School of Law, I thank the Government of Uganda, Makerere University Council, Makerere University Top Management and all our Partners and well-wishers for your continued support towards implementation of our Strategic Plan and the Strategic Plan of Makerere University. I also thank colleagues in the administration at our School, staff and students for participating in the different activities and initiatives.
As We Build for the Future
Ronald Naluwairo, PhD
Associate Professor
