Nkumba University School of Law (SLAW) was founded in 2005 by the late Professor Joseph M.N. Kakooza, remembered for being the first Ugandan to attend Harvard Law School in 1967. The School was accredited by the Law Council in 2007.

SLAW is committed to producing law graduates who embody the Nkumba University motto, “I OWE YOU.” Inspired by the ethos of the early Roman lawyer, who prioritized service to clients and society over personal gain, the School aims to train lawyers who address the needs of their immediate environment—Uganda and the East African region—while preparing them to thrive in the global legal landscape.

The School offers Master of Laws (MLL), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Bachelor of Criminal Justice, and Diploma in Criminal Justice.

These courses are designed to equip graduates with the skills necessary to engage and respond to the growing demands in legal services and navigate the complexities of international law.

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, in his 1897 address Path of the Law at Harvard University Law School, famously stated:
“For the rational study of the law, the black letter man may be the man of the present, but the man of the future is the man of statistics and the master of economics.”
This foresight is evident in today’s legal education.

The Nkumba University Law School was designed to address the needs of its immediate environment, the East African region, and the global legal landscape. Its curriculum incorporated international dimensions of law and technological advancements, preparing graduates for the challenges of the modern legal world.

The School has achieved notable success in international Inter-University Moot Competitions and boasts a steadily increasing number of graduates who qualify for the prestigious and highly competitive Post-Graduate Bar Course at institutions such as the Law Development Centre (LDC) in Kampala, the Nairobi School of Law in Kenya, and the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) in Kigali, Rwanda. A survey of alumni reveals their presence in diverse fields, including private legal practice, the judiciary, the armed forces, the legislature, and public service roles.

Additionally, the School’s Institute of Criminal Justice (ICJ) offers a Bachelor of Criminal Justice Degree and a Diploma. These programs address the urgent need for skilled human resources in Uganda’s criminal justice system, which faces numerous challenges. The ICJ courses are timely and impactful, contributing to strengthening the nation’s legal and criminal justice framework.

It is essential to note that the proliferation of legal education institutions in Uganda has introduced ethical challenges within the profession. SLAW is determined to produce graduates who view law not merely as a tool of “social engineering” for maintaining order but as a profession rooted in integrity and ethical responsibility. Compulsory courses in Legal Ethics ensure students develop both expertise and the values needed to become assets to themselves and the community they serve.

We hope you choose to study at Nkumba University School of Law, where you will become part of our ever-evolving community of legal scholars dedicated to excellence.

BRIEFLY ABOUT OUR FOUNDING FATHER

Prof. Kakooza began his legal journey as the first Ugandan to attend Harvard Law School in 1967, where he gained advanced legal training.

Upon his return, he became the founding Dean of the Faculty of Law at Makerere University in 1970, a role he held twice until 1999. His tenure at Makerere was marked by his efforts to shape legal education in Uganda, and he became the first Professor of Law in the country in 1984. Beyond academia, he served as a High Court Judge, the President of the Uganda Industrial Court, and the Chairperson of the Uganda Law Reform Commission.

Prof. Kakooza’s vision for legal education extended beyond Makerere University. In 2005, he established the Nkumba University Law School, driven by the belief that Uganda needed more institutions to train lawyers who could meet the demands of a growing legal profession. At the time, Makerere University was the primary institution for legal training, and there was skepticism about the need for additional law schools. However, Prof. Kakooza saw an opportunity to create a law school that would produce graduates who adhered to Nkumba University’s motto, “I OWE YOU,” emphasizing service to society over personal gain.

Prof. Kakooza’s efforts ensured that the school gained accreditation from the National Council of Higher Education and the Law Council, solidifying its reputation as a center of legal excellence.

Through his work, Prof. Kakooza not only expanded access to legal education but also inspired a new generation of lawyers committed to justice and societal service. His legacy continues to shape the legal profession in Uganda and beyond.