In a landmark event held on Friday, 8th August 2025, Honourable Lady Justice Monica K. Mugenyi, Judge of the Supreme Court of Uganda, officially unveiled the Kampala International University (KIU) Moot Court at the Main Campus at Kansanga, Kampala. The ceremony was attended by university management, lecturers from the School of Law, and a vibrant gathering of law students.

Hon. Justice Mugenyi commended KIU for its progressive approach to legal education, particularly its emphasis on practical training through mooting. She praised the university for going beyond traditional theory-based instruction to prepare students for the realities of legal practice.

Quoting author C. JoyBell C., she remarked: “University can teach you skill and give you opportunity, but it cannot teach you sense, nor give you understanding. Sense and understanding are produced within one’s soul.”

Justice Mugenyi emphasized that legal education must extend beyond the classroom. She cautioned that graduating without exposure to courtroom dynamics is a disservice to aspiring lawyers, stressing the importance of experiential learning:

“It is recognised that university law schools equip students with baseline theories and principles—developing critical thinking and fostering intellectual growth. However, legal theory does little to inspire the sense of propriety, equity, and quick judgment that underpin the practical administration of justice.”

Delivering a speech on behalf of Al-Hajj Dr. Hassan Bassajjabalaba, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Arthur Sunday, a member of the University Council, echoed the importance of holistic education. He emphasized that true learning must prepare students for the complexities of the modern world:

“We have tasked management to come up with a proposal on how best we can equip this moot court with modern facilities and equipment and, in the future, turn it into a real court. We have also requested management to advise the University Senate, University Council, and Board of Trustees on how best we can attract retired judges to become part of KIU.”

Describing the unveiling as a momentous milestone, Vice Chancellor Prof. Muhammed Ngoma expressed optimism about the future of the KIU Moot Court:

“There is hope to elevate the moot court into a real court with modern equipment. This is to scale up the newly launched moot court to a real court where there is hope to try real cases, giving even more and better hands-on training for students.”

Dr. Esther Kisubi, Dean of the School of Law, reinforced KIU’s commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice:

“We are changing the narrative of theoretical legal training,” she stated. “By inviting seasoned professionals from outside the university to engage directly with our students, we ensure that learning is not just academic—but experiential, practical, and deeply relevant to the realities of the legal world.”

The ceremony was graced by several senior administrators, including: Dr. Mundu Mustafa – Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance & Administration), Prof. Regina Idu Ejemot-Nwadiaro – Deputy Vice Chancellor, Christine Ainebyoona – Deputy University Secretary & Campus Administrator, Main Campus, Dr. Jacob Eneji Ashibi – Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Dr. Olawunmi Opeyemi Obisesan – Head of Department, Clinical Legal Education at the School of Law.

The unveiling of the KIU Moot Court is more than a ceremonial milestone—it’s a bold declaration of Kampala International University’s commitment to producing world-class legal professionals. By investing in experiential learning and courtroom simulation, KIU is ensuring that its law graduates are not only academically prepared but also practically equipped to serve justice with competence and integrity.

KIU School of Law has already proven its mettle on the national stage emerged victorious. Over the past years (2023, 2024 and 2025), KIU School of Law emerged victorious at the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Competitions, defeating top institutions like Makerere University, Uganda Christian University and Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).

These achievements reflect the School of Law’s dynamic approach to legal education—one that blends theory with practice, fosters critical thinking, and cultivates courtroom-ready professionals. With the new moot court facility and a vision to transform it into a fully operational court, KIU is setting a new benchmark for legal training in Uganda and beyond.