MAK Law Students to commemorate Ben Kiwanuka with Poetry

Students of Makerere University School of Law have organised a Poetry night in honour of the late Dr. Ben Kiwanuka the former Prime Minister and Chief Justice of Uganda and also seasoned poet.

The Poetry session (which is going to be free of charge) has attracted several big names in the Poetry Community of Uganda among whom are celebrated poets Peter Kagayi and Begumya Rushongoza.
The commemoration will be on 9th October, 2016 (Independence Day) in the Lower Lecture Theatre at the School of Law starting from 7pm to 9pm.

“Not much is known or written about the court headed by the second Chief Justice of Uganda (who was in truth the first indigenous Ugandan Chief Justice): Benedicto (“Ben”) Kiwanuka, a scion of the independence political struggle; president general of the Democratic Party; and first Chief Minister of the self-governing State of Uganda”, writes retired Principal Judge James Ogoola.

“His indomitable courage and boldness in the face of danger, even extreme danger. He had the judicial backbone of steel when – in the face of terror and horror – he granted an order of habeas corpus ordering the government of the formidable Idi Amin to produce before a court of law a valuable prisoner of that tyrannical regime.”

It is because of this courage, charisma and belief in democratic principles of rule of law that Ben Kiwanuka lost his life to President Idi Amin’s regime.
It is also because of the aforementioned principles that the former Chief Justice is most looked up to among the young and the old alike.

When contacted, the Makerere Law Society Vice President Miss Winnie Begumisa said, “We as MLS would like to appreciate his role towards shaping Uganda’s constitutional and political destiny. Poetry is no stranger to the legal minds and having this pioneer night, we hope, a platform for more future ones. We expect politicians especially Democratic Party stalwarts, scholars, visitors from other Universities and colleges.”