As the Law Development Centre (LDC) grapples with an ever-growing increase of applicants, particularly for its bar course, stakeholders within the legal community are expressing concerns about maintaining educational standards amidst the surge in enrollment.
Established in 1970 with a modest inaugural cohort of just 12 students, the LDC has witnessed a remarkable escalation in applicant numbers over the past five decades.
This year alone, the center received a staggering 3000 applications for the bar course, highlighting the escalating demand.
Frank Nigel Othembi, Director of LDC, acknowledged the challenges posed by the increasing numbers, especially in ensuring that quantity does not compromise quality.
He said that the strain on available human and material resources, exacerbated by the liberalization of legal education and the suspension of the pre-entry exam coupled with the popularity of law.
Speaking at the 51st graduation ceremony held at the LDC campus in Kampala, Othembi disclosed that the center is contemplating proactive measures to address the surge in applications.
One potential strategy under consideration is advanced admission, wherein a portion of applicants would be admitted in advance, prioritizing them for subsequent intakes.
Despite efforts to expand capacity, including the establishment of satellite campuses in Mbarara, Lira, and plans for a new one in Mbale this year, resource constraints ranging from training facility and staff among others remain a significant challenge for the administration.
Othembi added that while the admission process remains open, stringent standards will be upheld, with only those meeting the requisite criteria progressing through the program.
Othembi remained resolute that quality will not be compromised, notwithstanding external pressures, reaffirming the LDC’s commitment to maintaining educational excellence in the face of escalating demand.
“Those who deserve to pass, pass. Those who deserve to fail will fail. Marks are awarded by LDC and should never be politicized. Students go all over the country looking for Marks. Don’t panic.
We assure you LDC has no ill will or malice towards anyone… We can no longer guarantee you the best of the best. We get complaints about the quality of those who have passed – imagine the complaints we would have about those who are still with us,” the director said.
He added that; “As an institution that teaches law and has among the best legal brains in the country, we are very careful that all our actions are carried out following the law.
When we get it wrong it is not to do with the law. I understand your frustrations with academic challenges but follow our well-laid-out rules, procedures and advice.
The quality vs quantity debate at LDC has been raging for years now mounting concerns regarding a growing trend within the institution which is seeing a surge in the enrollment of students boasting impressive academic credentials who subsequently encounter difficulties in completing the Bar course offered at LDC.
Recently, Annet Karungi, the head of the Bar course at LDC, urged the Law Council to initiate an investigation into the authenticity of degrees issued by specific universities.
Francis Atoke, the Solicitor General, also weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the imperative for the Law Development Centre (LDC) to effectively manage the surge in applicant numbers and prioritize only those who can receive the highest quality of education.
He warns that exceeding capacity could compromise educational standards, especially given the limitations of available resources.
Expressing concern over the rising incidence of professional misconduct within the legal profession, Atoke underscored the crucial role of rigorous training at the LDC in mitigating such issues.
He cautioned that high student numbers could overwhelm staff and professional advisors, undermining their ability to ensure that graduates meet the requisite standards.
In his view, the legal profession demands exceptional discipline, necessitating the LDC to implement rigorous screening measures to weed out candidates who may not meet the required standards.
During the graduation ceremony, Justice Irene Mulyagonja, Court of Appeal Judge and Chairperson of the Uganda Law Council, delivered a commencement address to the graduates, focusing on the importance of excellence and ethical conduct in the legal profession.
In her speech, she acknowledged the challenges posed by the escalating numbers not only for the Law Development Centre (LDC) but also for the Law Council, particularly in the process of admitting new attorneys to the bar.
Justice Mulyagonja noted that delays in the admission process have been observed, with some graduates from the previous year still awaiting their licenses, emphasizing the need for patience among this year’s graduates.
The Bar course is an intensive program designed to prepare lawyers who have graduated from various law schools for their roles as legal practitioners.
It focuses, among others, on honing skills in drafting and interpreting legal documents and materials, with the goal of cultivating a deep understanding of their practical application.
Several graduands interviewed, including Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, the National Resistance Movement Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Rose Namayanja, and Hussein Hudu, the RCC Masaka City, described the bar course as rigorous and demanding.
However, they unanimously agreed that the challenges of the course are outweighed by its value.
Namayanja expressed a sentiment shared by many, suggesting that professionals from other fields could benefit from an equivalent of the bar course to better prepare them for their respective careers.
Meanwhile, the LDC Public Relations Officer, Frank Obonyo, highlighted during the 51st graduation ceremony, which was held in parts at the three campuses, that this year the LDC will have graduated 1077 students.
He noted an improvement in the institution’s passing rate to 51 percent after students sat for supplementaries as provided for by the rules governing the bar course, up from the previous years’ 44 percent. (a total of 2087 students sat for the bar course)
“The general performance is good taking into account different factors that influence performance. But students passing in the first class have decreased. We have 58 first classes compared to last year’s 130,” Obonyo said.
During the graduation on Friday, LDC passed out a total of 868 graduands, with 16 receiving Diplomas in Human Rights, 279 receiving Diplomas in Law, and 573 completing the Bar Course.
LDC decentralized its graduation ceremonies, which now take place at different campuses. On 12th April, one ceremony was held at the Mbarara Campus, the 19th was for the Kampala Campus, and on the 26th April, a graduation ceremony will take place at the Lira Campus.
END.
English 