HW Flavia Nassuna Matovu representing the Chief Registrar at the enrollment of advocates
On Thursday June 30,2022, 71 lawyers were enrolled as advocates of the High Court in a ceremony that was presided over by HW Flavia Nassuna Matovu, the Inspector of Courts, on behalf of the Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu.
HW Nassuna congratulated the newly enrolled advocates on the milestone of joining the legal profession. "This is a noble profession. It comes with power and prestige. It can make or break you," she said.
She urged the advocates to be professional when doing their work. "There is a major concern about the loss of integrity in the legal profession that has taken various dimensions which needs to be addressed," she said.
She encouraged the new officers of court to embrace reconciliation of parties, do pro-bono work, as well as comply with the ethical norms of honesty, fairness, civility, and respect for all. Further that they need to always be prepared, smart in mind, dress code, have the courtesy, guard against unjust quick enrichment, be focused, as well as develop the courage to lose honorably in court.
As food for thought, she encouraged them to consider family life, look out for mentors and build good networks. "Think about family life because life is not all about work. If you do, your work will be better as long as you have a pleasant family. Be responsible and avoid embarrassing moments that make you look shabby," she said.
Ms Peace Atocho, a representative from the Uganda Law Council advised the advocates to uphold a high degree of professionalism because a lot is expected from them. Noting that the legal profession is highly regulated. She urged them to embrace technology since it's the new normal of the practice.
The Uganda Law Society Council Representative Central Region, Mr Chemisto Shuaib Kubai Rayan, who represented the ULS President encouraged the new advocates to embrace young lawyers' mentorship programmes, offer legal aid services, clasp continuous legal education, and make sure they attain at least 20 CLE points annually for renewal of their practicing certificates.
He further urged them to always follow the Advocates Act by being ethical and honest, have a duty to the client and court as well as desist from any character that can cause them to be deleted from the roll.
The enrollment exercise saw Mr Kayemba Edward, a clerk at the Criminal Division, and Ms AnneTendo, formerly a research officer at the Family Division being enrolled as advocates.
Posted 30th, June 2022
