Zimbabwean lawyer Advocate Dr Lewis Uriri has found himself at the centre of widespread attention after declining a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography valued at about KSh32 million, alongside cash gifts totalling approximately KSh13 million, offered to him and his wife by businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
Uriri is a Zimbabwean advocate practising as a barrister at Zimbabwe’s independent referral Bar, with chambers at The Temple Bar in Harare, where he serves as Head of Chambers. He is also the founding President of the Zimbabwe Inns of Court, a professional body modelled on the traditional Inns of Court structure associated with legal advocacy.
Uriri's practice covers a broad range of areas, including investment law, commercial and corporate law, business transactions, dispute resolution, civil rights and liberties, and constitutional litigation. He is also a member of the panel of arbitrators maintained by the Commercial Arbitration Centre in Harare and is one of Zimbabwe’s four designated representatives on the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Uriri began his legal career as an intern at Honey & Blanckenberg, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest established commercial and general-practice law firms. He joined the firm as an associate in 2001 before becoming a partner in 2003. During his time at the firm, he handled matters involving civil rights and liberties, commercial and corporate transactions, litigation, transnational disputes, and alternative dispute resolution.
Uriri’s work extends beyond courtroom practice, as he is a former academic at the University of Zimbabwe, where he taught in both the Department of Private Law and the Department of Procedural Law. He serves as chairperson of the Faculty of Advocacy Trainers of the Zimbabwe Council for Legal Education and is also a member of the Law Society of Zimbabwe Faculty of Advocacy Trainers.
Uriri has been involved in several high-profile cases, including the 2018 presidential election litigation involving then-President Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. He also represented Sengezo Tshabangu in litigation surrounding the controversial recall of opposition Members of Parliament and councillors linked to the Citizens Coalition for Change.
Uriri declined the KSh45 million package, citing the need to preserve professional boundaries, as he and his wife had not undertaken any professional work for Chivayo since June 2024. Chivayo had praised Uriri as a “Lawyer par excellence”, crediting him with brilliance, courage, and commitment in handling his legal matters over the years.
Key points
- Uriri turned down a KSh45 million gift from Chivayo to maintain professional boundaries.
- The gift included a KSh32 million Range Rover and KSh13 million in cash payments.
- Uriri has handled several high-profile cases, including presidential election litigation and opposition politics disputes.
