The Uganda Bar Association has directed its members to stop bowing to judges and discontinue the use of colonial-era honorifics such as “Your Lordship” and “My Lady” in a move aimed at decolonising the country’s courtroom culture.
According to TheCable, the directive took immediate effect following an executive order signed on Tuesday by the association’s president, Isaac Ssemakadde. The announcement coincided with Saba Saba Day, which commemorates resistance against authoritarianism in East Africa.
The association said the reforms were necessary because Uganda’s judiciary continues to face challenges including executive interference, delays in the administration of justice, judicial corruption, selective justice and attacks on legal practitioners.
It also accused the military of undermining judicial independence through unlawful arrests, court invasions, the detention of civilians, obstruction of lawyers and journalists, and the trial of civilians before military tribunals.
Under the new directive, lawyers have been prohibited from bowing or engaging in any physical display of subservience before judicial officers.
The association also abolished the use of colonial titles including “My Lord”, “Your Lordship”, “My Lady”, “Your Ladyship” and “Your Worship”.
Instead, lawyers are to 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”. Members may also address judicial officers by their surnames where appropriate.
The Uganda Bar Association further instructed lawyers and litigants to “stand upright and speak as free citizens”, saying courtroom rituals should no longer subject citizens to humiliation while elevating public officials.
As part of the wider reform agenda, the association will begin a nationwide consultation within 90 days to review judicial dress, courtroom language and 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.
The review will also assess the judiciary’s client charter to ensure it is written in plain language and guarantees citizens respect, timely service, access to information and effective redress.
