In a significant development for legal education in Uganda, the Law Development Center (LDC) is set to establish its fourth campus in Mbale, Eastern Uganda.
The decision was announced following an exploratory visit by the LDC Management Committee and top officials to Mbale District.
Led by the Chairperson of the Management Committee, retired Judge Justice Paul K. Mugamba, the team engaged with key stakeholders in the region, including the Resident City Commissioner, District Local Council V Chairperson, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
During these meetings, the stakeholders warmly welcomed the news of the new campus, which will complement the existing campuses in Kampala, Mbarara, and Lira.
Speaking on behalf of LDC, Director Mr. Frank Nigel Othembi expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for their support in realizing this milestone. He acknowledged that the dream of establishing a campus in Mbale seemed unattainable in the past, but with the collective effort of the Management Committee, the Attorney General, the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, and other stakeholders, it has become a reality.
The LDC Mbale Regional Campus is scheduled to commence operations on July 1st, 2024, with the first intake of students expected in September 2024.
Mr. Othembi highlighted that the new campus will uphold the core mandate of LDC, which includes providing legal education to both lawyers and non-lawyers, conducting research on pertinent legal issues, contributing to legal reforms, producing legal publications and teaching materials, law reports, and offering community legal services to the indigents.
The announcement of the new campus was met with enthusiasm and support from the district and regional stakeholders in Mbale. They expressed their commitment to collaborating with LDC to enhance the quality of legal education in Uganda.
The establishment of the LDC Mbale Regional Campus marks a significant step forward in expanding access to legal education and strengthening the legal profession in Eastern Uganda.
It is expected to provide greater opportunities for aspiring legal professionals and contribute to the overall development of the region.
