Professor Emmanuel Kasimbazi is a distinguished legal scholar and Full Professor of Law with over 30 years of experience in teaching, research, and legal practice. He holds a PhD in Law from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), an LL.M from the University of Calgary (Canada), an LL.B from the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (Uganda). A practicing Advocate of the High Court of Uganda, Professor Kasimbazi has served as a senior lawyer, researcher, and consultant to numerous international, regional, and national institutions. His teaching and research focus on Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Criminal Law, and Criminology. He has supervised over 50 master’s and PhD students to completion and has published more than 30 scholarly works, including monographs, book chapters, journal articles, working papers, and policy reports.
He has been awarded several prestigious fellowships and visiting scholarships, including a British Academy Research Fellowship at the Walker Institute, University of Reading (UK), and a Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (USA). He has also served as a guest research scholar at the University of Bergen (Norway), University of Warwick (UK), and the Centre for International Environmental Law, Washington, under the American Bar Association Fellowship Programme. Professor Kasimbazi currently serves as the Environmental Law Expert for the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds and chairs the Specialist Group on Biodiversity Law under the World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL) of the IUCN. He is a Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences, and the World Academy of Sciences, where he also serves as a member of the Ethics Committee.
The School of Law at Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) will be the first of its kind in the Ateker region. Establishing a new School of Law in this region presents a unique opportunity to design a curriculum that is responsive to the legal and socio-economic realities of the area while also preparing students for legal practice across the East African Community (EAC). The School aims to promote legal awareness, strengthen justice systems, and transform mindsets in the Karamoja sub-region and the broader Ateker region, as well as the wider Great Lakes Region and the African continent.
To be a leading centre of excellence in legal education, research, and community engagement, fostering justice and sustainable development in Karamoja and beyond. The School will cultivate a welcoming, collaborative, and thriving community with a stronger emphasis on amicable settlements than on litigation.
To provide high-quality legal education, conduct impactful research on contemporary legal issues relevant to Karamoja, and promote access to justice through ethical formation, practical skills development, community outreach, and advocacy—nurturing ethically sound and socially responsible legal professionals.
a) Integrity
b) Honesty
c) Equality
d) Excellence
e) Social Justice
f) Community Engagement
g) Innovation
h) Integration of Ethics
i) Inclusivity
j) Ubuntu Philosophy
The rationale for establishing the School is to:
a) Identify specific legal needs and challenges in the Karamoja sub-region (e.g., land rights, customary law, conflict resolution, access to justice, human rights, and mineral exploitation).
b) Highlight the socio-economic context of Karamoja and demonstrate how a law faculty can contribute to its development.
c) Show how the School aligns with national development goals, legal sector reforms, and regional integration objectives.
Goal 1: Establish and Develop a High-Quality Academic Program
Objectives:
1.1 Develop and implement a relevant and accredited Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) curriculum.
1.2 Recruit and retain highly qualified and diverse faculty members.
1.3 Develop specialised short courses addressing unique Karamoja legal issues (e.g., land tenure, customary law, mineral law, human rights in fragile contexts, and alternative dispute resolution).
1.4 Establish a well-resourced law library with access to online legal databases.
1.5 Achieve full accreditation from relevant regulatory bodies (e.g., Law Council, National Council for Higher Education).
Goal 2: Foster a Culture of Impactful Research and Scholarship
Objectives:
2.1 Establish research priorities aligned with the legal needs of Karamoja.
2.2 Encourage faculty to undertake and publish research on Karamoja-specific legal issues.
2.3 Host regular seminars, workshops, and conferences on legal topics relevant to the region.
2.4 Explore establishing a Karamoja Law Journal or research centre.
2.5 Produce policy briefs to support evidence-based policymaking and bridge the gap between policy and research.
Goal 3: Promote Community Engagement and Access to Justice
Objectives:
3.1 Establish a Legal Aid Clinic to provide pro bono services to the community.
3.2 Develop community legal awareness and outreach programs.
3.3 Collaborate with local government, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations on justice and social transformation initiatives.
3.4 Integrate experiential learning opportunities (e.g., moot courts, internships with courts/NGOs) into the curriculum.
3.5 Promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the sub-region and beyond.
Goal 4: Build Robust and Sustainable Institutional Capacity
Objectives:
4.1 Secure diverse and sustainable funding sources (government, tuition, grants, partnerships).
4.2 Establish effective administrative and governance structures.
4.3 Implement a robust marketing and student recruitment strategy.
4.4 Develop and implement an IT strategy to support teaching, learning, and administration.
Goal 5: Nurture Ethically Sound and Socially Responsible Legal Professionals
Objectives:
5.1 Integrate ethics, professionalism, and social responsibility throughout the curriculum.
5.2 Provide mentorship and career guidance to students.
5.3 Foster a vibrant student life that encourages leadership and community service.
The School will be structured around three academic departments and two support centres:
Departments:
a) Public Law – Constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, criminal procedure, and international law.
b) Private Law – Land law, family law, law of persons, contract law, property law, succession, tort, and customary law.
c) Economic Law – Commercial law and corporate law.
Support Centres:
a) Legal Aid and Community Engagement Centre – Provides pro bono legal services in pre-approved areas, hands-on training for law students (moot courts, legal clinics, simulations), and research on recurring community legal conflicts.
b) Environmental and Natural Resources Law Centre (ENLC) – Promotes sustainable development and research on environmental and natural resources law, engaging students in real-world legal challenges in both rural and urban contexts.
a) Delivery Modes
Programs will be offered on full-time and part-time bases (weekend/evening), with online and blended options to ensure flexibility.
b) Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Degree
The LL.B curriculum will align with national and international legal education standards and emphasize practical training, ethics, research, and critical thinking.
c) Diploma Programs
Diplomas will provide practical skills, specialised knowledge, and pathways to further education or immediate employment.
d) Certificate Programs
Certificates will offer short, focused training in specialised areas, integrating both traditional and local knowledge.
e) Master of Laws (LL.M) Program
To be developed as part of the School’s long-term academic growth strategy.
|
SN |
PROGRAMS OFFERED |
CODE |
DURATION |
ENTRY LEVEL |
|
1. |
LLB |
LW |
4 years |
A level, Diploma in Law and Degrees from other disciplines |
|
2. |
Diploma in Law |
DL |
1 year |
A-Level or its Equivalent |
|
3. |
Diploma in Regional Integration Law |
DRIL |
1 year |
A-Level or its Equivalent |
|
4. |
Diploma in Legal Studies |
DLS |
1 year |
A-Level or its Equivalent |
|
5. |
Diploma in International Humanitarian Law and Law of Armed Conflict |
DIHAC |
1 year |
A-Level or its Equivalent |
|
6. |
Certificate in Law |
CL |
3 months |
O-level or its Equivalent |
|
7. |
Certificate in Environmental Law, Compliance and Regulation |
CEL |
3 months |
O-level or its Equivalent |
|
8. |
Certificate in Administrative Legal Studies |
CALS |
3 months |
O-level or its Equivalent |
|
9. |
Certificate in Natural Resources Law |
CNL |
3 months |
O-level or its Equivalent |
|
10. |
Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution |
CADR |
3 months |
O-level or its Equivalent |
|
11. |
Certificate in African Customary Law and Practice |
CACP |
3 months |
O-level or its Equivalent |
The founding Dean has been appointed to establish the School’s leadership structure. Two Professors of Law have been engaged to support the establishment process. Additional qualified academic staff, legal practitioners, and administrative personnel will be recruited.
The School will develop lecture halls, offices, a moot court, and a dedicated law library. Digital learning platforms and legal research databases will also be established.
The School will undergo a rigorous accreditation process by the relevant national regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with minimum standards for legal education. Internal quality assurance mechanisms will ensure continuous improvement.
A transparent admissions process will be implemented, supported by outreach campaigns to attract diverse and talented students.
The School will be officially launched at a formal inauguration ceremony, marking the intake of its pioneer class.
The School will establish strong connections with the legal community, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders for internships, clinical programs, and collaborative projects. A comprehensive community engagement and partnership strategy will guide these initiatives.
