By Shawn Kimuli 

KIU, Main Campus - The 2026 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition (Jessup Moot) national rounds concluded this week, reaffirming Uganda’s position on the global legal education map. The competition brought together five top universities, Kampala International University (KIU), Makerere University, Uganda Christian University (UCU), Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Mbale Campus, and King Ceasor University (KCU), in a display of exceptional legal reasoning, research, and oral advocacy.

KIU stood out for its unwavering commitment to competence‑based, practical legal education, setting benchmarks that continue to inspire higher learning institutions across Uganda. In this spirit of academic excellence, Makerere University went on to secure the national championship, surpassing UCU—the 2025 title holders—and earning the honor of representing Uganda at the international stage.

The Jessup Moot, the world’s largest and most prestigious international law moot competition, requires students to apply legal knowledge in real-world scenarios, blending research, writing, and courtroom presentation skills. KIU’s participation, both as a competitor and as the host institution, highlights the university’s strategic role in nurturing skilled, practice-ready legal professionals.

Championing competence-based legal education

KIU has long embraced competence-based learning, a model now being promoted across Ugandan universities by the Ministry of Education and Sports. This approach emphasizes practical skills, critical thinking, and applied knowledge, moving beyond rote memorization and examination-focused instruction.

In line with this national vision, KIU integrates practical courtroom simulations through its state-of-the-art Moot Court facility, enabling students to experience realistic litigation scenarios. These include drafting legal briefs, oral advocacy, negotiation, and courtroom procedure—skills that cannot be gained solely through lectures.

Professor Muhammed Ngoma, KIU Vice Chancellor, has repeatedly stressed that universities must equip students to demonstrate competence, not just knowledge. “One of the challenges we face is that many students focus on passing exams. Training happens in class, but the practice of law happens in courts and society,” he noted during the Jessup Moot. “Competence-based learning ensures that graduates are ready to perform at professional standards from day one.”

The Jessup Moot provides an ideal platform to reinforce this philosophy. KIU’s students and teams actively apply classroom knowledge in high-pressure competitive environments, bridging the gap between academic instruction and practical application.

Excellence in advocacy and recognition

Individual performance at the Jessup Moot reflected the high level of skill development fostered by Uganda’s universities. Mr. Abraham Baraka Wanyanga (UCU) earned Best Overall Oralist, while Mr. Julius Ainomugisha and Ms. Philomena Acom from Makerere University were recognized as Second and Third Best Oralists, respectively. These awards highlight the depth of talent across the participating institutions, nurtured through practical advocacy programs and rigorous preparation.

Beyond the national stage, KIU’s own track record in moot competitions underscores its leadership. The university hosted the 2026 Jessup Moot, won the 2025 National Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot, and consistently participates in regional competitions, including the Manfred Lachs rounds in South Africa. These experiences provide students with global exposure, preparing them for professional legal careers and international advocacy challenges.

Expanding access and institutional leadership

KIU’s commitment extends beyond competition. Its Annual Inter-Firm Moot Court Competition serves as a flagship internal program, cultivating high-level advocacy skills across the student body. Teams such as Kanyeihamba & Co-Advocates have dominated these internal contests, demonstrating consistent excellence.

The university’s Western Campus School of Law hosted its maiden moot in March 2025, focused on contract law, expanding access to practical legal training outside the main campus and providing students with hands-on learning opportunities across multiple locations.

Such initiatives reinforce KIU’s position as a leader in competence-based education, ensuring graduates are prepared for both national and international legal challenges. As the Jessup Moot national champions prepare to compete at the global rounds in Washington, D.C., USA later in March, KIU continues to provide a training ground, mentorship, and hosting platform that shapes Uganda’s future legal professionals.

Academic and regional standing

KIU’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its broader academic performance. According to the January 2026 Webometrics Rankings, the university is 2nd overall in Uganda and the top private university nationally, while ranking 5th in East Africa. These rankings affirm KIU’s strength in academic quality, digital presence, and institutional influence, complementing its leadership in practical legal education.

By combining innovative facilities, hands-on learning, and a culture of competence, KIU is not only shaping the next generation of legal professionals, but also setting national standards for universities in Uganda to adopt competence-based learning, as called for by educational authorities.

As Uganda’s higher education landscape evolves, KIU remains at the forefront, producing graduates who are ready for the courtroom, competitive on international stages, and equipped with the practical skills that modern legal practice demands.