The National Bar Association in Uganda (otherwise known as the Uganda Law Society) has officially abolished what it labeled feudal and colonial practices in the courtrooms.
A directive issued to the effect, titled ‘Abolition of Colonial Court Culture,’ coincided with the Saba Saba Day, the East African commemoration of resistance against authoritarianism.
Lawyers and litigants are no longer required to bow to, or address justices and judges as ‘My Lord,’ ‘Your Lordship,’ ‘My Lady,’ ‘Your Ladyship,’ ‘Your Worship,’ or any other honorific.
The Bar said effective July 7, 2026, judicial officers shall be addressed plainly as ‘Mr. Justice’ or ‘Madam Justice’ for members of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
Other appellations are ‘Mr. Judge’ or ‘Madam Judge’ for members of the High Court, ‘Mr. Magistrate’ or ‘Madam Magistrate’, and ‘Mr. Registrar’ or ‘Madam Registrar.’
The executive order noted that, where appropriate, the court officers can also be called by their surname, with ‘Judge,’ ‘Registrar,’ or ‘Magistrate’ as a prefix.
The development, according to ULS, was in the spirit of the Saba Saba struggle and the Bar’s “commitment to decolonize justice and restore dignity to the people.”
ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde said all advocates and litigants appearing before any court or tribunal shall henceforth stand upright and speak as free citizens.
Ssemakadde warned members of the Bar against enforcing or observing “rituals that force Ugandans into [a] posture of humiliation as the powerful enjoy comfort and deference.”
