Key information to be aware of:
- During my four years of undergraduate study in Law, I have come to recognize a fundamental truth: everyone relies on the law in some manner. Frequently, people believe that the law functions solely within courtrooms and the heavy books found on library shelves. Some view it as something reserved for a specific group of people.
This week, Makerere University will conduct its 76th graduation ceremony. Among the large number of graduates will be the 53rd batch of law students, which I am proud and honored to be a part of. For many of those graduating, the next phase will involve finding jobs and entering the workforce.
During my four years of undergraduate study in Law, I have come to recognize a fundamental truth: everyone relies on the law in some manner. Frequently, people believe that the law is confined to courtrooms and heavy books in libraries. Some also see it as something reserved for a specific group of people.
On the opposite, the law serves as a precise instrument that can be utilized for shaping societal structures. Its presence and necessity are constant in the conditions under which we live within society, through the interactions and exchanges we experience on a fundamental and everyday basis.
There is a necessity to enhance public understanding of the law, particularly among young individuals. To accomplish this, two measures can be implemented. Firstly, legal topics should be intentionally incorporated into the Ugandan education system at every level of learning, or alternatively, there should be a more focused strategy using media to present these subjects in simplified forms that are easily understood by the average Ugandan.
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been significantly involved in this second aspect. Nevertheless, the reduction in available civic space has greatly restricted their activities and impact.
The third element may involve personal initiatives by individuals within the legal field to enhance understanding of the law and how to comply with it. This can only be achieved by those in the legal profession and, to a certain degree, requires personal sacrifice.
I believe that legal awareness is a core competency similar to any other discipline. Its significance stems from the capacity of the general public to comprehend their fundamental rights and obligations, not only as citizens but also as individuals.
Certainly, this is the constitutional responsibility outlined in Article 4 of Uganda's 1995 Constitution, which obliges the State. Article 4 mandates the government to translate and extensively distribute the Constitution in local Ugandan languages, incorporate its study into school curricula and training programs for the armed forces, and regularly raise awareness about the Constitution through media initiatives.
Three decades on, it is reasonable to question whether this constitutional responsibility has been met. In this context, one might anticipate that, as a fundamental measure, schools are supplied with or mandated to have simplified and original versions of the Constitution so that students can interact with it from a young age, or that national media consistently features programs designed to promote the spread of constitutional information and understanding.
Another issue concerns the availability of translated versions of the Constitution in various indigenous languages. This current situation exacerbates existing legal and constitutional ignorance among the general public, leading to negative consequences at both individual and societal levels.
The objective of raising legal consciousness is to enhance the civic strength that individuals possess, enabling them to comprehend the law, how the judicial system functions, and thereby reducing their susceptibility to being intimidated by procedures or misled by information that is based on false claims.
In the well-known words of former presidential candidate Mubarak Munyagwa, a lawyer is not an ordinary individual. After spending four years in law school, I find myself agreeing with him. Nevertheless, this is not due to the often excessive status and ceremony associated with the profession, but rather because of the ethical duty that comes with obtaining such legal knowledge.
Legal education provides us with the understanding of how power is organized and constrained, as well as the importance of rights, the responsibilities they entail, and the necessity of strictly following constitutional principles, even when it feels challenging, especially concerning those in authority.
Uganda's progress across all areas is not solely reliant on economic expansion, but genuine social and economic change is significantly influenced by the robustness of institutions and adherence to the rule of law.
This brings us back to the initial issue of legal and civic consciousness within the population. For this very reason, there has never been a more pressing requirement for ethical and brave legal professionals, especially during periods characterized by a significant gap between legal requirements and institutional actions.
This is the responsibility that each graduate bears. It urges us to clarify the law, expand access to justice, and uphold constitutional principles even when it's difficult. Congratulations to all who have graduated from the 53rd cohort of Law and Makerere University as a whole!
Mahad Kisuze Mugaya, a legal professional and Programs Officer with Lex Amica Uganda. @mkisuze