Makerere wins Inter-University Moot Court competition

Oct 19, 2018

The choice for this year's theme was inspired by the unfilled vacuum in social justice especially cases related to health

 

Makerere University on Friday emerged victorious after winning the 5th annual Inter University Law Moot Court competitions aimed at preparing young lawyers for litigation.

Makerere emerged victorious after beating 8 universities in a tight race with 74% and Uganda Christian University, Mukono came second with 66%.

The fifth edition of the competition was under the theme of Health, Business and Development and was organised by Centre for Health Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Kampala campus.

Among other university that participated include Bishop Stuart University, IUIU Mbale and Kampala Campus, Cavendish University and Kampala International University.

Speaking to New Vision Ibrahim Nsereko, Litigation Program officer said the law moot court empowers students with practical skills of litigation that are not attained at school.

David Kabanda the CEHURD programmes coordinator said, the choice for this year's theme; ‘Health, Business and Development' was inspired by the unfilled vacuum in social justice especially cases related to health.

"There is a gap for health in social justice. We want to prepare the next generation of young lawyers into lawyers who can use a human rights based approach towards health such that health is no longer a commodity or service to be begged," Kabanda said.

He added that as development is ongoing in the different regions of the country, human rights of citizens are violated at the expense of investments.

"Human rights are highly violated in the present day, when construction of roads and other infrastructural developments are taking place," said Kabanda.

While presiding over the function, Justice Musa Sekaana urged the law students to always aim at protecting rights of vulnerable members of society instead of focusing on making money for them.

"We should be more passionate about human rights; we ought to protect the rights of people not just to practice for the sake of money like some lawyers are doing," Sekaana said.

A week back, more than 100 families were evicted from 75 acres of land and property worth millions of shillings destroyed in the fracas that happened in Lusanja village in Kisangani Town Council, Wakiso District. It is against such a background that lawyers were called upon to advocate for the rights of such citizens.

Daniella Kagina a third year student at Makerere University won the prize for best orator. She was more eloquent, poised and well informed compared to other participants.

She said the competition gave her a real court experience and exposure more practical than the in class assignments.

"I'm very grateful for the opportunity which has aroused my passion for human rights, it has also given me high level exposure, a real court experience that called for practical arguments to put into consideration the reality of life," she said.

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