Kampala – A total of 116 newly qualified lawyers have been formally enrolled as Advocates of the High Court during a ceremony held at the Court of Appeal Building Conference Hall.
The enrollment was presided over by the Acting Chief Registrar, HW Lamunu Pamella Ocaya, who welcomed the new advocates into the legal profession and urged them to uphold competence, integrity and ethical conduct in the discharge of their duties.
In her address, HW Lamunu congratulated the advocates on attaining what she described as a significant professional milestone. She noted that the legal profession is both honourable and demanding, carrying heightened expectations and responsibilities.
She cautioned the new entrants against declining professional standards, particularly among young lawyers, attributing the challenge to inadequate mentorship and weak ethical grounding. Emphasizing their constitutional duty, she reminded them that their primary obligation is to serve justice, not merely to represent clients, in line with Article 126(2) of the Constitution.
The Acting Chief Registrar encouraged the advocates to be guided by honesty, diligence, competence, humility and compassion, stressing that professionalism must be reflected both in conduct and intellectual discipline. She also urged them to engage in pro bono legal services as a way of giving back to society.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Bar, the Deputy President of the Uganda Law Society, Mr. Anthony Asiimwe, encouraged the new advocates to uphold ethical values such as confidentiality, professionalism and integrity, while remaining responsive to evolving legal and technological developments.
He reminded them of their duty to protect the public and uphold the rule of law, emphasizing that the profession demands far more than technical competence.
“Your role as an advocate demands more than technical skill. It requires integrity, courage, humility and ethical excellence. Uphold confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest, honour your fiduciary obligations and serve your clients with utmost diligence and honesty,” he stated.
On professional development, Asiimwe urged the new advocates to remain responsive and punctual for Continuous Legal Education (CLE), stressing that learning must remain a lifelong commitment.
Representing the Secretary of the Law Council, Ms. Biira Patience, a Senior State Attorney, described the enrollment as a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. She called on the advocates to maintain high standards of courtroom decorum, commit to continuous learning and embrace mentorship, reaffirming the Law Council’s support throughout their legal careers.
The ceremony was moderated by HW Fidelis Otwao, Personal Assistant to the Acting Chief Registrar, and was attended by members of the legal fraternity, Judiciary staff, as well as family and friends of the newly enrolled advocates.
Keywords: Advocates, High Court, Enrollment Ceremony, Judiciary, Uganda Law Society, Law Council, Legal Profession, Continuous Legal Education, Professional Ethics, Rule of Law
