Uganda Law Society Abolishes Colonial-Era Court Honorifics Kampala, Uganda – The President of the Uganda Law Society, Isaac K. Ssemakadde, has issued an executive order abolishing the use of what he described as “colonial-era” court honorifics and rituals of deference by lawyers.
Under the directive, members of the legal profession are no longer expected to bow before judicial officers or address judges and magistrates as “My Lord,” “Your Lordship,” “My Lady,” or “Your Worship.”The directive, titled Executive Order RNB No. 12 of 2026, was issued on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, as part of activities marking Saba Saba Day, an occasion that commemorates resistance against authoritarianism in East Africa.According to the order, the move is aimed at ending colonial-era traditions within Uganda’s legal profession and promoting a more modern and egalitarian system of professional conduct in the country’s courts.
The directive is expected to spark debate within legal and judicial circles over courtroom etiquette and the future of long-standing judicial customs in Uganda.
Joseph Akwagiobe is a media contributor from Cross River State, Nigeria, currently based in Abuja. He is a graduate of Microbiology and has earned several professional certifications across diverse fields, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence.