Find Legal expertise in Uganda
- Legal System
- Profession
- Development
Legal System
Uganda’s constitution provides for an independent judiciary. The legal system is based on English Common Law with some elements of Islamic law. The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal, lower down is the Court of Appeal, followed by the High Court and the magistrates’ courts. Amongst other smaller courts, including local council courts and family and children courts, are Qadhis (Islamic) Courts which deal with personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance of property and guardianship.
Profession
The Law Society of Uganda is the country’s official representative body for the legal profession. Uganda has around 1,200 lawyers. Lawyers in the country are styled ‘advocates’ acting as both barristers and solicitors. A person is admitted to the Roll of Advocates if they hold a relevant degree from an institution recognised by the Law Council or if they have been a legal practitioner for a period of not less than five years in a country also recognised by the Law Society. Practice certificates are only issued to those on the Roll of Advocates. Prominent legal firms in Uganda include: A.F. Mpanga, Advocates Byenkya, Kihika & Co Advocates Kampala Associated Advocates, Kateera & Kagumire Advocates, Katende, Ssempebwa & Co MMAKS Advocates, Sebalu & Lule Advocates and Legal Consultants, and Shonubi, Musoke & Co
The Law Society of Uganda runs several programmes to improve the legal services available in the country. With the help of the Norwegian Bar Association, the Legal Aid Project (LAP) was set up in 1992 to provide assistance to those who could not afford legal aid, as no statutory legal aid was available in the country. In 2012 the LAP had seven branches. Furthermore, Uganda has received funding from the Partnership for Transparency Fund to run a 16 month initiative to combat corruption and improve accountability.
Development
Not included in the World Economic Forum, The Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013.