UCU wins this year's inter-university moot court competition

The winning team from Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono pose for a photo after winning this year's inter-university moot court competition. PHOTO BY ANTHONY WESAKA

What you need to know:

  • In her general observations, justice Mugenyi advised the participating law students of the need to do a lot of research before they can present their cases in court.
  • She also cautioned them to desist from speaking very fast on ground that the judicial officer they are appearing before may not get their submissions well.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono, last night won this year's inter-university moot court competition, for the third time in six years.

UCU Mukono edged its sister institution of Uganda Christian University, Kampala campus to lift this year's trophy.

The competition that was held at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), female campus in Kabojja in Wakiso District, was organised by a civil society organisation, Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD).

“We are very happy and delighted to have won this stiff moot court competition,” Ms Lynette Kwikiriza Nahwera, one of the three UCU students who were declared winners said in excitement shortly after the final announcement was made.

The 3rd year law student continued: “We managed to pull this off due to hard work and intense preparations that we put in.”

Mr Joel Ndyamuhaki, also from UCU, was voted the best realist of this year's competition.
The other law student from the winning team was Mr Joel Chemonges.

Moot court competition specifically aspires to train law students in legal writing, arguing of cases in court, professional conduct and demeanor while arguing cases and preparation of court proceedings.

The fictional scenario that the participating law students submitted on for this year’s competition, was about the unconstitutional laws that would permit doctors to detain patients who have HIV, cough and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The doctors also had powers from the constitution to arrest patients they think were suffering from the aforementioned diseases and treat them without their consent.
The judges of the day were High Court judge Anna Bitature Mugenyi of the Commercial Court, retired High Court judge, Augustine Kania and city lawyer, Mr David Kabanda.

In her general observations, justice Mugenyi advised the participating law students of the need to do a lot of research before they can present their cases in court.

She also cautioned them to desist from speaking very fast on ground that the judicial officer they are appearing before may not get their submissions well.