Why Law Council wants review of assessment methods at LDC

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Experts are urging a review of the assessment methods used in training lawyers due to concerns about declining standards in Uganda's legal profession.

George Omunyokol, the chairperson of the Committee on Legal Education and Training of the Law Council, emphasised that new challenges—including the increasing number of students enrolling in legal education and the impact of changing technologies like artificial intelligence—necessitate this review for the legal profession to remain relevant to the country's needs.

Omunyokol spoke at the Uganda Law Focus Journal Peer Review Summit, held at the Law Development Centre on Tuesday. The event was organised under the theme "Repositioning Legal Education and Training in Uganda" and attracted various legal professionals and stakeholders.

In his opening remarks, Omunyokol pointed out that while the Law Development Centre (LDC) was originally intended to accommodate 60 students, it currently receives over 4,000 applications from students each year.

"This surge has led to congestion, increased pressure on infrastructure, and a decline in the quality of legal education and training," he noted. For the academic year 2024-2025 alone, LDC received 3,145 applications and admitted 3,027 students.

He explained that this overwhelming demand has forced the institution to conduct two intakes and implement full online instruction for one cohort.

"LDC has also expanded to regional campuses in Mbarara, Lira, and, most recently, Mbale. Despite this decentralisation, completion rates remain low. Less than 30% of our students complete the Bar course on their first attempt," he added.

According to Omunyokol, the average passing rate over the past five years (2019 to 2024) is only 30.42%, meaning approximately 70% of students must extend their studies due to failed attempts or supplementary examinations.

"This situation has placed considerable strain on LDC, as outlined in its submission to the Law Council regarding the challenges faced during this double intake year. Instructional and assessment methods have been significantly affected, particularly with the shift to online learning."

Struggles of online learning

He acknowledged that while digital tools can enhance learning for well-resourced institutions, they also pose challenges for underprivileged learners.

"A recent survey revealed that 67% of students reported poor internet connectivity as a significant barrier, while 33% of administrative staff believe that the current online learning infrastructure is inadequate for effective student learning," he stated.

He noted that professional advisors and lecturers have raised concerns about the negative impact of online-only instruction on the practical, vocational nature of legal education.

Omunyokol concluded by saying that increased enrollment has overwhelmed every aspect of LDC's operations, from administration and ICT to finance and physical facilities.

He noted that staff are experiencing fatigue from heavy workloads, and operational bottlenecks have become widespread. "Tasks such as financial reconciliation, inventory management, and even basic book procurement are now daunting challenges, " he said.