Prepared by Kityo Martin (Moot Minister) & Nagawa Peninah (Dep. Moot Minister) Courtesy of the IUIU-KC Law Society.
This is a comprehensive report on the recently concluded IUIU Kampala Campus Intra-faculty Moot Competitions, which were partly initiated by the previous Law Society Government (2022-23) and under the guise of my predecessor Magyezi Crispus, the former Moot minister and the Faculty Co-ordinator, Nakirayi Fatuma. As the current Moot Minister, I assumed responsibility for the competition and ensured its successful completion in tandem with the Faculty co-ordinator.
The aim of this report is to outline what transpired during the competitions, highlight the progress made, discuss the challenges faced, and propose recommendations and solutions to address these challenges effectively.
1. Overview
The Intra-faculty Moot Competitions took place over a span of a month at IUIU Kampala Campus. The event witnessed active participation from 40 law students from various classes and sessions.
The objective of these competitions was to enhance students' advocacy and legal research skills, drafting, analyzing assigned cases, applying legal principles, encouraging teamwork, and fostering a competitive spirit within the student body.
2. Transpired Events
a. Participation: The competition saw a number of teams from both the DAY and EVENING sessions from Year I to Year 4. The teams had to prepare both written and oral submissions for both the applicant and respondent.
b. Rounds: The competition was divided into several rounds, including preliminary rounds, and the grand finale. The participants showcased exceptional legal knowledge, analytical skills, and oral advocacy capabilities.
c. Judges and Evaluation: Competent judges from our alumni were invited to evaluate the participants based on their legal arguments, presentation skills, and overall performance. The judges provided valuable feedback to the participants, which will contribute to their professional growth.
d. Collaboration: The moot competitions facilitated intra-faculty collaboration, enabling students to work in diverse teams and engage in healthy competition. This allowed them to develop essential teamwork and communication skills.
3. Progress
a. Skill Enhancement: The moot competitions significantly contributed to the enhancement of participants' legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills. Students had the opportunity to delve into complex legal issues, analyze them critically, and present their arguments persuasively.
b. Confidence Building: The competitions provided a platform for students to showcase their talents and build confidence in public speaking and articulating legal arguments. Many participants demonstrated tremendous growth in their confidence levels throughout the event.
c. Networking: The moot competitions facilitated networking opportunities among participants, judges, and legal professionals attending the event. Students had the chance to connect with legal practitioners, gain insights into the legal field, and build meaningful relationships for their future careers.
4. Challenges
a. Resource Constraints: Limited availability of research materials, legal databases, and adequate training facilities posed challenges during the preparation phase of the competition. This hindered students' ability to conduct comprehensive legal research and hampered their overall performance.
The insufficient funds posed challenges in organizing the competition smoothly, as it affected the provision of necessary amenities such as funds for printing paperwork, refreshments, and tokens of appreciation for the participants.
b. Time Management: Some participants faced difficulty balancing their academic commitments with moot preparation, resulting in limited time for in-depth research and practice sessions. This as well impacted on the first scheduled date of the finals (9th May, 2023) which led to an extension to a later date (19th May, 2023).
c. Training and Guidance: Despite the efforts made by the organizing committee, some participants lacked sufficient training and guidance on moot court procedures, legal research techniques, and oral advocacy skills. This impacted their performance and hindered their overall learning experience.
d. Low turn up of Evening Session Students. Furthermore, it is important to note the reluctance of evening students to actively engage in the moot competitions.
Several pertinent issues were raised by the evening students, including a lack of effective communication regarding the competitions, the inflexibility of the moot programs to accommodate their study schedules, limited time availability due to employment commitments, and a perceived bias towards mooting.
These concerns should be taken into consideration when planning future moot competitions to ensure inclusivity and active participation from all student groups.
5. Proposed Recommendations and Solutions
a. Resource Enhancement: The university administration should allocate additional resources to establish a well-equipped library, expand access to legal databases, and provide research materials relevant to moot competitions.
This will facilitate comprehensive research and enable participants to develop stronger legal arguments.
b. Time Management Support: The law society government should collaborate with academic departments to ensure that students receive adequate time management support, allowing them to balance their academic commitments with moot preparation effectively.
This may include rescheduling assignments and courseworks during the moot season.
c. Training and Workshops: The law society government should organize regular training sessions, workshops, and mentoring programs to enhance students' understanding of moot court procedures
6. Awards and Recognition
a. Initiation of Awards: In order to recognize the exceptional performance and efforts of the participants, with assistance from the President Law Society, Wammanga Muhammad, the IUIU Kampala Campus Intra-faculty Moot Competitions introduced an awards session.
This initiative aimed to encourage healthy competition and provide motivation for students to excel in their moot court endeavors.
Various ceremonial awards were initiated such as the prestigious Lord Denning Award that goes out to the Best Oralist.
Other categories include;
Outstanding Participant
Best written Memorial (1st and 2nd)
The IUIU Kampala Campus Intra-faculty Moot Competitions witnessed outstanding performances from various participants, showcasing their exceptional skills and dedication.
The winners and noteworthy individuals in different categories are as follows:
6.1. Winning Team - Respondents LLB1 (Day):
The team representing Respondents from the LLB1 (Day) program emerged as the overall winners of the competition.
The victory of the LLB1 (Day) team in the moot competition, despite being new to law school, is truly remarkable.
Their resilience, dedication, and readiness to learn played a pivotal role in their success, inspiring their peers and showcasing their exceptional potential.
6.2. Best Oralist - Nabukeera Nadia LLB3 (Day):
Nabukeera Nadia from the LLB3 (Day) program displayed exemplary oral advocacy skills during the finals.
Her eloquence, ability to articulate legal arguments, and confident courtroom presence made her stand out as the Best Oralist.
6.3. Outstanding Participant - Busuulwa Jessa Nasser LLB3 (Day):
Busuulwa Jessa Nasser, from the LLB1 (Day) program, exhibited exceptional performance throughout the moot competitions.
His profound legal knowledge, critical analysis, and overall contribution to the team's success earned him the recognition as an Outstanding Participant.
6.4. Best Written Memorial - LLB3 (Day):
The LLB3 (Day) program delivered an exceptional written memorial, showcasing meticulous research, coherent legal arguments, and a comprehensive understanding of the case.
Their outstanding written submission led them to win the award for the Best Written Memorial.
6.5. 2nd Best Written Memorial - LLB1 (Day):
The LLB1 (Day) program showcased remarkable writing skills and comprehensive legal analysis, leading to their recognition as the 2nd Best Written Memorial.
b. Certificates and Medals: At the conclusion of the competition, certificates of participation were awarded to all participants as a token of appreciation for their dedication and commitment.
The certificates and medals were presented during a formal award ceremony, which created a sense of accomplishment among the participants.
7. Appreciation
7.1. Trainers
Special appreciation goes to the faculty coordinator, Nakirayi Fatuma, for her invaluable contributions to the success of the Intra-faculty Moot Competitions at IUIU Kampala Campus.
Furthermore, special thanks goes out to Abdulhafiz Lutalo, Mugoya Ahsiraf, Ojambo Festo, Jjemba Jonathan, Abaho Elly (Court clerk) and Magyezi Crispus who played pivotal roles in mentoring and guiding the participants throughout the competition.
Their expertise, guidance, and tireless efforts have been instrumental in honing the students' skills, enhancing their legal knowledge, and fostering a culture of excellence within the moot society.
Their commitment to the development of the participants and their unwavering support are truly commendable.
7.2. Judges
In the recently concluded Intra-faculty Moot Competitions, we were privileged to have esteemed judges who played a vital role in ensuring the success and fairness of the event. Among these distinguished individuals, I would like to express my appreciation to Counsel Nakirayi Fatuma, Counsel Nakagiri Shanita Gorret, and Counsel Okiru Denis for their invaluable contributions.
Nakirayi Fatuma, as the Faculty Coordinator, brought her wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Her guidance and support were instrumental in shaping the competitions and ensuring their smooth execution.
Her expertise in mooting and commitment to fostering a competitive yet respectful environment greatly enhanced the overall quality of the event.
Nakagiri Shanitah, with her deep understanding of the intricacies of legal advocacy, served as a knowledgeable and impartial judge.
Her insightful feedback and constructive criticism provided valuable learning opportunities for the participants. Shanita's dedication to upholding the standards of excellence and her meticulous approach to evaluating the performances of the mooters greatly contributed to the success of the competitions.
We also extend our gratitude to Okiru Denis, whose presence as a judge added immense value to the event. His extensive experience in the legal field and his ability to offer astute observations and constructive feedback greatly enriched the participants' learning experience.
Okiru Denis's commitment to promoting fairness and justice ensured that the competitions were conducted in an objective and professional manner.
Their expertise, dedication, and commitment to excellence not only provided an invaluable learning experience for the participants but also inspired them to strive for greatness in their future legal careers. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to these esteemed individuals for their time, expertise, and unwavering support throughout the competitions.
7.3. Pariticipants
We extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all the students who actively participated in the Intra-faculty Moot Competitions. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work made the event a resounding success.
To each and every participant, your commitment to excellence, meticulous legal research, persuasive oral advocacy, and impressive written memorials truly showcased your talent and potential as future legal professionals. Your active engagement in the competitions not only enhanced your own skills but also inspired and motivated your peers.
We commend you for your resilience, perseverance, and the countless hours you devoted to preparing for the moots. Your participation demonstrated a genuine passion for mooting and a desire to excel in the field of law.
Your outstanding performances and professional conduct throughout the competitions reflect the high standards of our institution and the caliber of our law students.
8. Conclusion
Moving forward, it is recommended to address challenges, improve resource allocation, and foster inclusivity.
The competitions have had a positive impact on the moot society and students, inspiring excellence and skill development.
In a special way, I would like to encourage all law students to embrace the culture of mooting.
There are alot of upcoming moots both internal and external, physical and virtual that are to take place next semester. Try outs shall be held to vet participants who will represent the university.
Do not miss out on this learning experience!
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This report has been prepared by KITYO MARTIN (Moot Minister) & NAGAWA PENINAH (DEP. MOOT MINISTER) courtesy of the Law Society.
Audere Est Facere, To Dare is to Do -