NEWS
Uganda Law Society Abolishes Colonial-Era Courtroom Traditions, Introduces New Forms of Address for Judges
…as ‘Colonial’ Courtroom Bow, ‘My Lord’ Title Abolished
The Uganda Law Society (ULS), the country’s national bar association, has officially abolished what it described as feudal and colonial courtroom practices, marking a significant shift in the nation’s judicial culture.
The landmark directive, titled Abolition of Colonial Court Culture, took effect on July 7, 2026, coinciding with Saba Saba Day, the East African commemoration of resistance against authoritarianism and a symbol of the struggle for freedom and justice.
Under the new directive, lawyers, litigants, and members of the public appearing before courts and tribunals are no longer required to bow before judicial officers or address them with traditional honorifics such as My Lord, Your Lordship, My Lady, Your Ladyship, Your Worship, or any other colonial-era titles.
Instead, the Uganda Law Society has introduced a simplified and more egalitarian system of addressing judicial officers. Members of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal will now be addressed as Mr. Justice or Madam Justice, while High Court judges will be referred to as Mr. Judge or Madam Judge.
Similarly, magistrates will be addressed as Mr. Magistrate or Madam Magistrate, while registrars will be known as Mr. Registrar or Madam Registrar. Where appropriate, judicial officers may also be addressed by their surname, preceded by their official designation such as Judge, Magistrate, or Registrar.
The directive forms part of the Bar’s broader effort to dismantle colonial legacies within Uganda’s justice system and promote a judiciary that reflects equality, dignity, and respect for all citizens.
According to the Uganda Law Society, the reforms align with the ideals of the Saba Saba movement and reinforce its commitment to decolonizing justice while restoring the dignity of the people.
ULS President, Isaac Ssemakadde, directed that all advocates and litigants appearing before courts and tribunals should henceforth stand upright and address judicial officers as free citizens, rather than observing practices rooted in colonial tradition.
He also cautioned members of the legal profession against enforcing or participating in courtroom rituals that compel Ugandans to assume what the Bar considers humiliating postures while those in positions of authority receive excessive deference.
The decision is being regarded as one of the most far-reaching judicial cultural reforms in Uganda in recent years, reflecting a growing movement across parts of Africa to remove colonial symbols and practices from public institutions while promoting a more modern and citizen-centered justice system.