Immediate Ban on Bowing and Colonial Titles
The Uganda Bar Association has issued an executive order prohibiting lawyers from bowing to judges and discontinuing the use of colonial-era honorifics such as 'My Lord', 'Your Lordship', 'My Lady', 'Your Ladyship', and 'Your Worship' in courtrooms. The directive, signed by association president Isaac Ssemakadde, took immediate effect on Tuesday, coinciding with Saba Saba Day, a day commemorating resistance against authoritarianism in East Africa.
Rationale Behind the Directive
The association argued that Uganda's judiciary faces persistent challenges including executive interference, prolonged delays in justice administration, judicial corruption, selective justice, and attacks on legal practitioners. It also accused the military of undermining judicial independence through unlawful arrests, court invasions, detention of civilians, obstruction of lawyers and journalists, and trial of civilians before military tribunals. According to the association, these issues are reinforced by an outdated colonial court culture that places judicial officers above ordinary citizens through compulsory displays of deference.
New Protocol for Addressing Judicial Officers
Under the new directive, lawyers are prohibited from bowing or engaging in any form of physical subservience before judicial officers. Instead, members must address appellate court judges as 'Mr. Justice' or 'Madam Justice', High Court judges as 'Mr. Judge' or 'Madam Judge', and magistrates as 'Mr. Magistrate' or 'Madam Magistrate'. Judicial officers may also be addressed by their surnames where appropriate. The bar association further directed lawyers and litigants to 'stand upright and speak as free citizens', stating that members should no longer participate in courtroom rituals that humiliate citizens while elevating public officials.
Planned Nationwide Consultation on Court Practices
As part of the reforms, the association announced plans to begin a nationwide consultation within 90 days to review judicial dress, courtroom language, and other court practices. The consultation will examine the continued use of colonial wigs, gowns, and foreign-language requirements, with the aim of adopting alternatives that better reflect Uganda's history, climate, and culture. It will also review the judiciary's client charter to ensure it is written in plain language and guarantees citizens the rights to respect, timely service, access to information, and effective redress.
