Uganda judiciary hits back over ‘My Lord’ directive

Uganda’s judiciary has pushed back against a directive by the country’s lawyers’ association instructing its members to stop addressing judges as “My Lord” or “My Lady” and to abandon the practice of bowing before them.

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) said such “feudal and colonial honorifics” elevate judicial officers above citizens. The society said colonial courtroom practices “force Ugandans into postures of humiliation as the powerful enjoy comfort and deference”. Lawyers should instead use plain forms of address such as “Mr Justice”, “Madam Justice” or refer to judicial officers by their surnames.

The directive was signed by ULS president Isaac Ssemakadde.

But judiciary spokesperson James Ereemye told the BBC that the ULS had no authority to tell judges what to do. He said the courts would continue to “demand the known decorum” from lawyers. He dismissed the ULS as “just a section of young people who have failed to know the principles of agenda setting”.

Like many former British colonies, Uganda inherited its legal system and many courtroom traditions from the UK.

Across Africa, lawyers have long debated whether colonial-era courtroom traditions, including wigs and robes, should be abandoned. In 2011, Kenya’s then-Chief Justice Willy Mutunga chose to take his oath of office in a suit. Similar debates have emerged in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Ghana, where critics argue that some colonial-era court practices are no longer appropriate for modern Africa.

Ereemye said that if the ULS had a point, it should use the appropriate forum for discussion and make its case through policy channels.

SOURCE: BBC