ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has issued a sweeping directive abolishing long-standing courtroom practices rooted in colonial tradition, including bowing before judicial officers and the use of honorific titles such as “My Lord” and “Your Worship.”
In Executive Order RNB No. 12 of 2026, the society announced that all forms of address implying “lordship, worship, or feudal superiority” are to be discontinued with immediate effect.
The move marks a significant shift in courtroom culture, aimed at promoting equality and modernising judicial conduct in Uganda.
Under the new guidelines, judicial officers will now be addressed using simplified and neutral titles.
Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal will be referred to as “Mr. Justice” or “Madam Justice,” while High Court judges will be addressed as “Mr. Judge” or “Madam Judge.”
Magistrates and registrars will similarly adopt the titles “Mr.” or “Madam” followed by their respective roles.
The directive also allows for the use of surnames in formal settings, such as “Judge Okello,” “Registrar Ankunda,” or “Magistrate Nakato,” reinforcing a less hierarchical and more professional tone in legal proceedings.
ULS stated that the changes are intended to align Uganda’s legal system with constitutional values of dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.
The society argued that traditional courtroom expressions have perpetuated unnecessary reverence and social distance between judicial officers and court users.
“The administration of justice must reflect the principles of a modern democratic society, not outdated traditions that elevate individuals above the law,” the statement reads in part.
The directive is expected to spark debate within legal and judicial circles, particularly among traditionalists who view courtroom decorum as essential to maintaining respect for the bench.
However, reform advocates have welcomed the move, describing it as long overdue.
Legal analysts note that similar reforms have been implemented in other jurisdictions seeking to dismantle colonial-era legal customs.
In Uganda, the ULS order signals a broader push to redefine institutional culture within the justice system.
It remains unclear how quickly courts across the country will adopt the changes, but the directive takes immediate effect, placing pressure on judicial officers and legal practitioners to adjust their conduct accordingly.