Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you all on passing the pre-entry examination and on your admission to the Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (the Bar Course) at the Law Development Centre (LDC) across our respective campuses. Today, together with the Heads of Departments, sections, units, and your professional advisors, I am here to engage with you physically at the Kampala campus and virtually at the regional campuses. I also undertake to visit the regional campuses of Mbarara, Lira and Mbale during the academic year to have more interactive sessions.
On behalf of the LDC team, I warmly welcome you to the Law Development Centre. We are delighted to have you on board. Despite having lost two weeks of the first term due to the election season, my staff and I pledge to do our part to support you throughout your journey on the Bar Course. We stand ready to serve, guide, and equip you with the necessary skills that this programme is designed to impart.
Our expectation is that by the end of the Academic Year, each of you will have acquired the skills required of a day-one Advocate in the legal profession. To achieve this, we count on you to do your part: come prepared to actively participate in all the activities that will be scheduled for academic year and adhere to the Rules for passing the Bar Course. Make full use of the curriculum that I believe has already been shared with you, as well as other study materials that will be provided in due course.
I understand that most of you have had a long break from studies since breaking off from university. I therefore urge all of you to refocus and fully commit yourselves to the demands of the Bar course – do what is required of you, at the right time and in the right place. Wisely use the limited time available while undertaking this programme.
All facilities across our campuses have been designed to make your stay warm and conducive. Please use them responsibly and protect them for future students.
Leadership is key at LDC and we have a Students’ Guild where students across all campuses are given an opportunity to elect their leaders starting with the Firm Leaders to the Guild President. During this term, the Assistant Directors, Head Post Graduate Legal Studies and Legal Aid will liaise with Students Affairs’ Officer to establish the Guild leadership through a fair and transparent election process. We fully recognise your civic rights and encourage you to be involved when this time comes.
We are further mindful that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I encourage you to take time to relax and exercise; our campuses have access to sports fields; you are encouraged to use your evenings for games and physical activity. The Assistant Directors at the respective campuses will make the necessary arrangements.
Also, important to note is that LDC through its Students’ Affairs’ Officer will organise Sports days across all campuses during the academic year, I urge you to participate when that time comes.
You should also take time off to socialise and get to know one another outside academics. Social capital and the ability to network are important skills for the legal profession.
Finally, I trust that you have settled in at your respective campuses, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
In the meantime, I look forward to further interacting with you during the course of the Academic Year, and wish you every success in your studies.
For God and my Country.
