Established in 1968, Makerere University School of Law (SoL) is Uganda's oldest institution offering law degree programs. Initially a department within the Faculty of Social Sciences, it evolved into a full-fledged faculty in 1973 and was elevated to college status in 2014. The School comprises five departments: Law and Jurisprudence, Public and Comparative Law, Commercial Law, the Human Rights & Peace Centre (HURIPEC), and the Environment Law Centre (ELC). Additionally, it hosts innovative initiatives such as the Refugee Law Project (RLP), the Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC), and the Gender and Sexuality Research Centre.

SoL has a distinguished reputation for producing graduates who have ascended to prominent positions within Uganda's legal and governmental sectors. Alumni have served in the Judiciary, Parliament, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, various government ministries, local governments, corporate entities, and NGOs at both national and international levels. The School's commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by its students' achievements in national and international moot court competitions, including recognition as the highest-ranked African team at the 2024 Philip Jessup International Law Moot Competition held in Washington.

Emphasizing a client-centered approach, SoL integrates practical legal training with academic rigor. Through entities like PILAC and RLP, the School engages in community outreach by providing legal aid services, conducting training sessions for law enforcement and judicial officers, and participating in legislative processes. The recent inauguration of a state-of-the-art building in December 2024, featuring modern facilities such as lecture rooms, a moot court, and a library, underscores SoL's dedication to fostering an environment conducive to high-quality legal education and service.

About Makerere University School of Law

Founded in 1968


Practice areas
Civil & Human Rights
Criminal Defense
Employment & Labor
Energy, Environment & ESG
Immigration

Languages spoken
English

Social media

Practice areas

Civil & Human Rights

The Makerere University School of Law, through its Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), established in 1993 as the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, specializes in civil and human rights. HURIPEC focuses on teaching, research, and activism to promote understanding and respect for human rights, democratic governance, and sustainable peace in East Africa and beyond. The Centre offers specialized courses, including the East African Training School on Human Rights, Intellectual Property, and Access to Medicines, and the African School on International Criminal Law, aimed at equipping participants with practical skills in human rights law. Additionally, HURIPEC engages in policy advocacy and collaborates with various partners to address human rights challenges, thereby contributing to the establishment of a human rights-conscious society.
Civil Rights
Constitutional Law
Disability
Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability
Discrimination
Native People
Education Law
Military Law
Animal Law
Faith-Based Law
State, Local, and Municipal Law
Veterans Benefits

Criminal Defense

The Makerere University School of Law offers comprehensive education in criminal law through its Department of Public and Comparative Law, covering courses such as Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Criminal Liability, and Criminal Procedure. The Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC) enhances public interest lawyering skills among students and legal practitioners, promoting access to justice through legal aid services. Additionally, the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC) conducts the African School on International Criminal Law (ASICL), training African lawyers in international criminal law to address technical and juridical aspects of the subject.
Arrests & Searches
Bail Bond Service
Criminal Litigation
Drug Crime
Drunk Driving
DUI & DWI
Juvenile Law
Sex Crime
Speeding & Traffic Ticket
White Collar Crime

Employment & Labor

The Makerere University School of Law offers comprehensive education in employment and labor law through its Bachelor of Laws program. The curriculum includes courses such as Labour Law II, which covers terms and conditions of employment and various methods of resolving labor disputes. Students are trained to advise on aspects of health and safety at work, workers’ compensation, labor dispute settlement processes, and social security in both private and public sectors. The program emphasizes practical application of the law and fosters a critical attitude towards existing legislation, assessing its relevance to contemporary Ugandan and East African society.
Employment Rights
Hiring & Firing
Job Discrimination
Labor Law
Pension
Retirement
Sexual Harassment
Social Security
Wage & Hour
Wrongful Termination
Whistleblower & Qui Tam
Employment Benefits & Executive Compensation

Energy, Environment & ESG

Makerere University School of Law offers specialized expertise in Energy, Environment, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) law, focusing on the intersection of legal frameworks and sustainable development. Through initiatives like the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), the school engages in projects such as the "Charcoal Conflict in Climate Change’s Decarbonisation Dilemmas," which examines the socio-economic impacts of decarbonization policies in East Africa. Additionally, the school provides comprehensive courses in Environmental Law and Policy, equipping students and professionals with the knowledge to navigate complex environmental regulations and promote environmental justice. By integrating academic research, policy analysis, and practical training, the school supports clients in addressing legal challenges related to energy transitions, environmental protection, and sustainable governance.
Environmental Law & Compliance
Oil, Gas & Energy
ESG Advisory & Compliance
Climate Change Law
Renewable & Alternative Energy
Energy Regulatory Law
Water Law
Mining Law

Immigration

The Makerere University School of Law, through its Refugee Law Project (RLP), offers specialized services in immigration law, focusing on the rights and welfare of asylum seekers, refugees, deportees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities in Uganda. Established in 1999, the RLP provides comprehensive legal aid, including counseling and referrals for issues such as sexual and gender-based violence, access to medical care, housing, and education. The project also conducts education and training programs targeting both duty bearers-such as police, immigration officers, judges, magistrates, and local government officials-and refugees themselves, including English language training to empower refugees in their interactions with officials and Ugandan citizens. Supported by active research and advocacy, the RLP aims to promote the protection, well-being, and dignity of forced migrants and their hosts, and to influence national and international debates on matters of forced migration, justice, and peace.
Asylum
Business Visa
Citizenship
Dependent Visa
Permanent Residency
Retirement Visa
Work Permit
Citizenship by Investment
Residence by Investment
Golden Visa

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