The Judiciary of Uganda has challenged law students to maintain proper court language and prioritize reasoning over street language. This call was made by Justice Geoffrey Wilfred Kiryabwire of the Court of Appeal of Uganda during the opening of the 13th Annual National Inter-University Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition. The event, organized by CEHURD, took place at Hotel Africana in Kampala. Justice Kiryabwire emphasized that effective advocacy requires clarity, decorum, and logical reasoning to uphold the dignity of the court.
This year's competition is themed "Reproductive and Gender Justice in Uganda: Navigating Constitutional Rights, Public Interest and Social Values." It provides a platform for students to examine legal, policy, and structural barriers to accessing reproductive health information and services. The focus is particularly on young people, rural women, and adolescents. The competition aims to nurture a new generation of human rights lawyers who can address health rights violations affecting vulnerable communities.
CEHURD Executive Director Fatia Kiyange welcomed participants and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to developing a new generation of human rights lawyers. Kiyange noted that CEHURD has hosted the annual moot since 2014 to interest law students in courtroom advocacy and the practical aspects of litigating the right to health. CEHURD, founded in December 2009, uses litigation, advocacy, research, and social movement building to address health rights violations.
Kiyange observed that the moot mirrors CEHURD's own litigation journey, which began in 2011 with the landmark Constitutional Petition No. 16 of 2011 on maternal health. The implementation of judgments from such cases contributed to a 44% reduction in maternal mortality, as per the 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. This reduction is attributed to improved maternal and perinatal death surveillance and increased budget allocation for maternal health.
A total of 18 universities expressed interest in participating, with 17 selected to take part. These include Makerere University, Gulu University, and Uganda Christian University Mukono, among others. The competition is presided over by eminent Justices, including Hon. Retired Justice Martin Stephen Egonda-Ntende and Hon. Justice Catherine Bamugemereire. CEHURD commended university leadership, patrons, and moot coordinators for their support.
The organization also announced internship opportunities for top performers to further build their capacity in social justice in health. This will enable participants to gain practical experience and contribute to addressing health rights violations in Uganda. The competition will test the students' knowledge and skills in constitutional law and human rights.
The event is expected to enhance the students' understanding of reproductive and gender justice in Uganda, as well as the importance of upholding proper court language. The outcome of the competition will be a significant step towards promoting human rights and social justice in Uganda.
Key points
- The judiciary emphasizes the importance of proper court language and reasoning in advocacy.
- The competition aims to address legal, policy, and structural barriers to accessing reproductive health information and services.
- CEHURD's efforts have contributed to a 44% reduction in maternal mortality in Uganda.
