By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
A recent Cabinet sitting has approved to repeal the Law Development Centre Act, Cap 251, which had given the institution exclusive rights to teach and examine the Bar course.
Consequently, the 55-year monopoly that the Law Development Centre (LDC) has been enjoying as the only institution in the country teaching the Post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice course may end soon.
The Cabinet decision was based on submissions by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, the Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Justice Irene Mulyagonja, the Chairperson Uganda Law Council.
In Uganda, no lawyer can be allowed to represent a client in court without a Bar Course certificate obtained from the LDC.
This is confirmed by the LDC statement issued on Monday, 4th August, 2025 stating that:
“Cabinet has approved and commenced the process of repealing the Law Development Centre Act, Cap 251 in order to propose a bill establishing the National Legal Examinations Centre which will enable decentralization of Training of the Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice program by accredited Institutions and accredited Law Schools. The National Legal Examinations Centre will prepare a unified examination for the award of Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.”
Mulyagonja argues that the over-population of students at LDC, currently standing at 3000 does not guarantee mentoring and training, saying it instead encourages teaching which is done at University level.
The Attorney General’s office is now working on a process to establish a unified examining body to oversee examinations for Law graduates from accredited institutions.
The Attorney General is non-committal on exactly when this will be operationalized.
