The Greater Masaka region celebrated a historic milestone on Thursday night with the inaugural Greater Masaka Annual Legal Awards, an event dedicated to honouring outstanding contributions in the legal profession.
Organised by the Greater Masaka Court Reporters’ Guild (GMCRG), the awards recognised exceptional law firms and individual advocates whose work has significantly impacted the justice system across the region’s nine districts.
Held at the Maple Leaf Hotel in Masaka City, the program underscored the vital role of legal professionals in promoting justice, fairness, and accountability within society.
M/s Ssekyewa, Matovu & Co. Advocates was crowned the Best Law Firm of the Year 2024 for the Greater Masaka region, while Advocate Sam Ssekyewa won the title of Outstanding Lawyer of the Year 2024.
The awards recognized legal professionals operating in the nine districts that comprise the Greater Masaka region and Masaka City.
The selection process included months of research into the region’s legal market, showcasing the best performers and most impactful court cases of the year.
Recognizing Excellence
The southern regional police spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye, presided over the event and commended the initiative.
He highlighted the collaborative roles of journalists, advocates, and police in promoting justice and ensuring rule of law.
“We thank the journalists under GMCRG for appreciating the best-performing advocates and law firms. Such initiatives motivate legal professionals to work hard and deliver quality services to the public. This synergy contributes to reduced crime and fairness in society,” Kasirye said.
Kasirye also congratulated M/s Ssekyewa, Matovu & Co. Advocates on their exemplary performance, which earned them recognition as the top law firm and individual lawyer in the region.
Teddy Namugwe, GMCRG’s head of research, emphasized that the awards aim to bridge gaps between journalists, advocates, and the judiciary.
“These awards appreciate the critical role advocates and law firms play in the judicial system,” Namugwe said.
“We believe the recognition will inspire firms and lawyers to excel further. We intend to make this an annual event.”
Advocate Sam Ssekyewa received the Outstanding Lawyer of the Year award for his work on high-profile cases, including the defense of Moses Taremwa, a student accused in the 2018 fire incident at St. Bernard SS Maanya in Rakai District.
After six years in prison, Taremwa was acquitted by Justice Victoria Nakintu of Masaka High Court.
Ssekyewa successfully argued that Taremwa was a juvenile at the time of his arrest and had suffered human rights violations, resulting in his release.
Mariam Nanyanzi, a leader of the GMCRG, shared insights into the awards’ selection process, which included surveys and questionnaires sent to law firms and lawyers in November.
She encouraged the legal fraternity to embrace such programs, noting their potential to enhance visibility and open doors to opportunities beyond the region.
“With the vibrant media presence we have, these awards can spotlight your work and help you penetrate markets outside Greater Masaka,” Nanyanzi said.
The event marks a new chapter in recognizing and celebrating legal excellence in the Greater Masaka region, with plans already in motion to make it an annual tradition.
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