Over 1,000 Law Graduates in Limbo as Law Council Delays LDC Pre-Entry Exam Decision

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has expressed alarm over the continued silence by the Law Council regarding the fate of pre-entry examinations for admission to the Law Development Centre (LDC). The exams, usually held in August or September, are a critical step for graduates seeking to join the bar course.

According to ULS Treasurer Arthur Isiko, the lack of official communication has left recent law graduates stranded, with no guidance on whether they should prepare for or pay for the exams.

“There’s no clear path on whether students should pay or not for the pre-entry exams. The council needs to come out clearly,” Isiko said.

He added that the Council was expected to clarify its position during a recent sitting, especially on whether the pre-entry system would be reinstated or scrapped altogether in favour of direct admission to LDC.

The pre-entry system has long been a subject of contention. Former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, previously criticised it as an unnecessary barrier to the legal profession.

Prominent lawyer Fred Muwema, managing partner at Muwema & Co. Advocates and Solicitors, has called for broader reforms in legal regulation.

He urged lawyers to petition for amendments to the Uganda Law Society Act (Cap. 276) and the Advocates Act (Cap. 267), particularly provisions that allow foreign lawyers with at least five years of experience to enrol locally without restriction.

“There’s a general perception that lawyers should earn less, but poor pay means you should expect poor quality service,” Muwema said.

“Many young lawyers are timid and fear fighting for their rights.”

He also warned that the quality of legal practice is deteriorating, attributing it to low pay, lack of mentorship, and a culture of impatience among new entrants to the profession.

Muwema further urged the Uganda Law Society to revive its petition to Parliament for structural reforms, including changes to succession charges and professional standards.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Law Society itself appears to be in a leadership crisis, with reports indicating that its current president, Isaac Ssemakadde, is in exile.

As time passes without a clear decision from the Law Council, frustration continues to grow among aspiring lawyers, many of whom now fear the pre-entry exam could be pushed to next year.

Graduates are calling for immediate clarity to allow them to plan their next steps and avoid further delays in their journey to legal practice.