Uganda Law Society Abolishes Colonial Court Titles and Practices

[Archival Sense]

Uganda Law Society president, Isaac Ssemakadde (photo courtesy of Isaac Ssemakadde)

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has announced sweeping changes aimed at ending what it calls "colonial court culture," abolishing traditional courtroom titles and rituals such as bowing before judges and using honorifics like "My Lord," "Your Lordship," "My Lady," and "Your Worship."

In Executive Order No. 12 of 2026, issued on July 7 by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde, the Society said the changes are intended to promote equality, dignity and a justice system that is easier for ordinary Ugandans to relate to.

Under the new directive, judicial officers should instead be addressed as "Mr. Justice," "Madam Justice," "Mr. Judge," "Madam Judge," "Mr. Magistrate," or "Madam Magistrate," or simply by their surnames where appropriate.

The order also prohibits members of the Uganda Law Society from bowing or performing other acts of physical deference before judicial officers, saying lawyers and litigants should stand and speak as free citizens.

The Society further announced a 90-day national consultation to review other colonial-era courtroom practices, including the use of wigs, gowns and legal language, with the aim of making Uganda's justice system more accessible and reflective of local realities.

According to the order, the reforms take immediate effect for all Uganda Law Society members.

 

[Sajo]

Safi sana. Watawala wameigeuza mahakama kuwa chombo cha kuhalalisha matakataka yao, na ukihoji kidogo unaambiwa suala lipo mahakamani.

Majaji walioteuliwa na serikali zilizopo madarakani kihuni, bado wanataka waheshimiwe kwa kubow mbele yao, na kuitwa majina ya kutukuzwa. Yaani walioteuliwa na wahuni, ili kubariki za wahuni, muwaite waheshimiwa.

 

[Da Dona]

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Uganda Law Society president, Isaac Ssemakadde (photo courtesy of Isaac Ssemakadde)

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has announced sweeping changes aimed at ending what it calls "colonial court culture," abolishing traditional courtroom titles and rituals such as bowing before judges and using honorifics like "My Lord," "Your Lordship," "My Lady," and "Your Worship."
View attachment 3624946
In Executive Order No. 12 of 2026, issued on July 7 by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde, the Society said the changes are intended to promote equality, dignity and a justice system that is easier for ordinary Ugandans to relate to.
View attachment 3624947
Under the new directive, judicial officers should instead be addressed as "Mr. Justice," "Madam Justice," "Mr. Judge," "Madam Judge," "Mr. Magistrate," or "Madam Magistrate," or simply by their surnames where appropriate.

The order also prohibits members of the Uganda Law Society from bowing or performing other acts of physical deference before judicial officers, saying lawyers and litigants should stand and speak as free citizens.

The Society further announced a 90-day national consultation to review other colonial-era courtroom practices, including the use of wigs, gowns and legal language, with the aim of making Uganda's justice system more accessible and reflective of local realities.
View attachment 3624948
According to the order, the reforms take immediate effect for all Uganda Law Society members.
View attachment 3624949​

Uganda Judiciary Rejects Law Society Directive on Courtroom Titles and Bowing

Uganda's Judiciary has rejected a directive issued by the Uganda Law Society (ULS) instructing lawyers to stop addressing judges as "My Lord" or "My Lady" and to discontinue the practice of bowing before judicial officers.

The ULS said the move is part of broader reforms aimed at decolonising Uganda's justice system, arguing that colonial-era courtroom traditions undermine equality and elevate judicial officers above the citizens they serve.

In a statement signed by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde, the society described the honorifics as "feudal and colonial" and said they reinforce outdated practices that no longer reflect a modern democratic society.

The directive prohibits members of the ULS from bowing before judges and magistrates. Instead, lawyers have been advised to use neutral titles such as "Mr Justice", "Madam Justice", "Mr Judge", "Madam Judge", "Mr Magistrate" or "Madam Magistrate", and where appropriate, refer to judicial officers by their surnames.

The society also instructed advocates and litigants to stand upright while addressing the court, saying they should speak "as free citizens" rather than adopt what it called "postures of humiliation".

However, Judiciary spokesperson James Ereemye dismissed the directive, saying the ULS has no authority to determine courtroom etiquette or direct judicial officers on how they should be addressed.

He maintained that Uganda's courts are an independent arm of government and would continue to require established courtroom decorum from lawyers appearing before them.

Ereemye also criticised the manner in which the directive was issued, saying such proposals should instead be discussed through the appropriate institutional channels before they can influence judicial policy.

The dispute reflects a wider debate across Africa over whether judicial systems should abandon colonial-era traditions inherited from Britain. Countries including Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Ghana have all witnessed discussions over courtroom attire, wigs, robes and traditional forms of address.

In Kenya, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga made headlines in 2011 when he took his oath of office wearing a business suit instead of traditional judicial robes, arguing that the justice system should reflect contemporary African values.

The latest disagreement between Uganda's Judiciary and the Uganda Law Society adds to the ongoing conversation about modernising the country's legal system while balancing tradition, judicial authority and the dignity of court proceedings.

BBC​