KAMPALA– Veteran lawyer Fred Muwema is urging young legal professionals in Uganda to prioritize gaining practical experience and cultivating patience over the pursuit of quick wealth.
Addressing members of the Uganda Law Society, law students from various universities, and those from the Law Development Centre (LDC) at the Uganda Law Society Headquarters, Muwema noted a growing trend among newer lawyers. He expressed concern that many in the legal profession now spend excessive time on “showbiz” and social media, neglecting crucial aspects such as in-depth research and active participation in court sessions.
“Law is a very sensitive profession,” Muwema cautioned. “I know many of you in the digital age are used to Artificial Intelligence (AI), asking AI questions and getting answers. But that will not give you experience without hard labor or putting in time. You have to read, put in more hours, and be present in court.”
Muwema also encouraged lawyers not to be discouraged by the increasing number of legal practitioners in the country, attributing it to Uganda’s rapidly growing population.
“In 1990 when I had just joined law school, we were about 44 law students in the whole country from one law school and one university,” he recalled. “By then, the total population of Uganda was around 15 million. But now, if we have a bigger number of lawyers serving a large population, there are at least more opportunities for every lawyer.”
Muwema pledged to collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure improved remuneration for all lawyers across the country.
