Uganda hosted the 2023 Advocates Africa conference that started on Thursday 27th – 30th of July at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe.
This year’s edition was the 15th Biennial conference organized on the theme; “Positioning the Christian lawyer to thrive through a volatile and ambiguous world” was attended by various lawyers from different countries including Uganda as the hosts, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi among others.
While giving the opening remarks, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda tasked the participants to work with integrity, interagency, and energy while serving the society.
“The judiciary shouldn’t have any sin in terms of being looked at in the society because all of us run to this sector for certain decisions and justice,” he said.
Tayebwa appreciated the attorney general for the work well done in the protection of the judiciary sector and also urged the lawyers on different levels to serve society with integrity.
The Attorney General of Uganda, Hon Kiryowa Kiwanuka said that as lawyers, they are all inclined to focus on each of the keywords in this year’s theme and see what they mean: Who is a Christian lawyer, What is a volatile and ambiguous world?
“As the Head of the bar, I should say that the theme that has been chosen for the 15h Advocates Africa Conference, resonates with lawyers of all faiths regarding the professional services they render to their clients and the community as a whole at this point in the history of our society and the world,” he remarked.
Kiryowa added that the Christian lawyer needs to be clear on what his true value set is and how they guide him or her in this changing world.
“Therefore it is very clear that it may be hard to predict the future as a way of addressing this uncertainty, but it helps us to try by looking at our history and seek guidance from that landscape and addressing the current and future challenges. For instance, what can we learn from the Bible about living in integrity and pursuing righteousness? What have our Christian brothers and sisters done to address similar challenges within their jurisdiction? And the answers to these questions would be good pointers to enable us to position ourselves as lawyers in addressing such challenges,” he noted.
He concluded with words from Proverbs 13:20, which says “Walk with the wise and become wise” as well as urging the participants to do the right thing even when no one is watching because it means integrity.
Anne Muhairwe the Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity (UCLF) President said that they are increasingly faced with many challenges and opportunities where the role of the Christian lawyer is more crucial than ever, that’s why such engagements are made to equip lawyers with skills, values, and vision to serve the clients and the society effectively.
“A Christian faith gives us a unique perspective and motivation to seek justice, peace, and human dignity for all the people especially the marginalized and oppressed, therefore we are caught to be the salt and light of the world, to be the voice of the voiceless and to be the agents of transformation,” she added.
Teresa Conradie the Advocates International President asked participants to relate their daily duties with God so that they can serve efficiently and effectively.
“In this volatile and ambiguous world, let us as Christian lawyers position ourselves as keepers and builders of the guard rails so that nations will come to our light and kings to the brightness of your rising,” she concluded.
About UCLF
Uganda Christian Lawyers’ Fraternity (UCLF) is a membership-based Non-Governmental Organization founded in 1987 by 12 Christian law students at Makerere University. Its membership has since increased to over 500 members including Advocates, Lawyers, Judges, Institutions, and Law Students across the different Universities of Uganda. UCLF has its presence in Kasese, Masaka, Kayunga, Gulu, and the head office in Wandegeya at Baptist House.
Through its interventions, UCLF seeks justice for all through the provision of legal aid, legal education, and research and policy advocacy on behalf of vulnerable people. It also seeks to utilize skills endowed in its members and associates to impact the most vulnerable in society, irrespective of age, gender, religion, or ethnicity following a Biblical mandate to defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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