The 2nd Inter-university CEHURD ( Centre for Health Human Rights and Development ) law schools moot competition got down yesterday at Makerere University, School of law.
Moots are a form of debate that greatly borrow from mock court sessions. A hypothetical case is presented and two teams battle it out like a real court hearing. Real judges listen to either side’s arguments and offer marks.
Law schools from Uganda Christian University, Mukono , Islamic University in Uganda, Mbale, Kampala International University, Makerere University, Nkumba university and the barely two month old law school of Bishop Stuart, Mbarara sent representatives in the highly tense, nail biting, head-scratching legal engagement. Only the best oralists were in town. Smartly dressed in suits like real advocates. An aura of business was in the air. Before long, the adrenaline was released in the form of moving arguments masked by beautifully coined legal phrases and eloquent speeches.
The days hypothetical problem was bordered on “Litigating the right to highest attainable standard of health in Uganda, accessibility, affordability, quality of medical services, right to life, public access to information, mental health care et al.”
The judges were, Dr. Sylvia Tamale, Robert Kirunda,Ms. Kiconco. The lead judge was Justice Kenneth Kakuru from Court of Appeal.
The preliminary moot sessions were heard by the hypothetical “constitutional court of Uganda” and later the finals were heard by the “supreme court of Uganda.” Marks were awarded based on; court ethics, demeanour, language, and proper application and understanding of the law.
UCU, was knocked out in the semi finals. Makerere and Kampala International University led by the versatile Anderson James Nsubuga tussled it out in the grand finale.
Makerere was represented by Ssenyonga Simon, Jacintah Akino, and another gentleman only identified by his Makmot name.
Simon Ssenyonga, was the best oralist. It was not difficult to tell, why. He seemed to possess uncanny appreciation of the law and a certain level of confidence. Words spewed smoothly off his tongue, he was awarded with an internship placement at CEHURD. He used the opportunity to chip in his guild presidency aspirations 2016.
The finals were littered by tense moments with routine rebuttals from the judges, ultimately the two-man team from KIU garnered 446 points against Makerere’s 436 points.
The event ended uneventful, despite the el nino rains and power outage. Students braved the cold and listened to the Moots. Makerere university, Makerere Law Society led by Edwin Mugumya and Makerere Moots Society led by Donald Massa, were up to the task. Mwene Rwamuguma Yongyera, a re-known moot participant and Lawyer took to social media to thank Bishop Stuart University for putting up a good fight despite the students being barely two months old.
You must be logged in to post a comment.