Gulu University has pulled off a surprise victory at Uganda’s National Inter-University Gender and Human Rights Law Moot Competition, beating favourites Makerere University.
A panel of senior judges, led by Justice Eva Luswata, announced Gulu University as the winner on Wednesday.
“This is a great moment for Gulu University,” said Prof Openjuru George Ladaah, the university’s Vice-Chancellor. “Over the years, our students have been excellently performing at Law Development Centre during their legal practice bar courses, and indeed the Faculty of Law is a rising giant in the country. We are proud.”
The Gulu team, comprising Ochwo John Isaac, Amanya Belinda, and Nakalule Hajarah, impressed judges with their arguments in the final round, held at Makerere University.
Ochwo John Isaac was also named best orator in the competition.
“The win is a clear demonstration of Gulu Faculty of Law positioning herself as one of the giants in the country,” Prof Ladaah added.
Susan Baluka, Manager Strategic Litigation at FIDA Uganda, which organised the competition, said: “Uganda is inspiring aspiring lawyers in gender-focused litigation in order to contribute to gender jurisprudence in the court of law geared towards gender-responsive family law reform.”
Gulu Stuns Makerere, Wins National Human Rights Law Competition with Outstanding Argumentation and Legal Expertise
The competition focused on family law reform and bridging the gender gap in access to land, with the theme “Family Law Reform Now! Bridging the Gender Gap in Access to Land as a Productive Resource.”
Four universities – Gulu, Makerere, Nkumba, and Kampala International University – reached the semi-finals after submitting their cases.
Representing the Chief Guest, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Nebbi District, Assistant RDC Owachgiu Donald, commended the participants for their dedication to promoting human rights.
