The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, has urged the country’s legal educators and aspiring lawyers: go beyond mastering legal theory and commit to ethical practice and social responsibility.
Speaking at the inaugural Kabale University Annual Law Faculty Dinner on Friday evening at the White Horse Inn in Kabale, Justice Zeija laid out a vision for 21st-century legal education that challenges law schools to produce more than technically skilled graduates.
“Law schools should not limit their teaching to subject-matter content alone,” he stressed. “They must instill values and promote community engagement.”
Under the theme “Importance of Law Faculties and Schools in Shaping the 21st Century Lawyer,” the Deputy Chief Justice underscored that Uganda’s legal future hinges on producing lawyers who can bridge the gap between courtroom expertise and societal needs.
Referring to the 2024 Justice Needs and Satisfaction Report by HiiL, which revealed that only 10% of Ugandans access formal court services, he posed a pointed question to the gathering: “If only 10% of Ugandans can access justice, are we really transforming society with the law?”
This stark statistic, Justice Zeija argued, highlights why law schools must invest in clinical programs that not only train students in hands-on legal skills but also respond to the justice needs of marginalized communities.
He praised Kabale University’s Faculty of Law for pioneering platforms like the annual dinner, which he called “a timely innovation” that exposes students to legal practitioners and real-world challenges.
Justice Zeija also called on academic institutions to align their curricula with ongoing reforms in Uganda’s judiciary, such as mediation, plea bargaining, audio-visual hearings, and electronic case management systems.
“The legal landscape is changing, and we must prepare our students to navigate and lead these reforms,” he urged.
In a firm warning to the next generation of lawyers, the Deputy Chief Justice took a hard line against corruption and professional misconduct.
“There is no place in the legal profession for unprofessionalism. The Judiciary maintains a policy of zero tolerance to corruption,” he declared, urging students to embrace integrity as the cornerstone of their careers.
The dinner drew attendance from high-profile figures including Justice Karoli Ssemogerere Lwanga, university administrators, faculty members, students, and representatives from the Justice, Law and Order Sector.