The Law Council of Uganda has formally updated its register of institutions authorized to conduct Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree programs, bringing the total number of accredited universities to 19. The update, authorized by the Committee on Legal Education and Training, serves as the definitive regulatory benchmark for legal instruction within the country.
George Omunyokol, chairperson of the committee, confirmed the expansion of the list, which now incorporates Victoria University, Metropolitan University, Kabale University, the Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU), and Ndejje University. These additions follow a rigorous audit process overseen by the Law Council in coordination with the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Regulatory Standards for Legal Training
The accreditation process mandates that institutions meet specific requirements regarding faculty qualifications, physical infrastructure, and curriculum design. The Law Council maintains this list to ensure that the pedagogical environment satisfies the professional standards required for the subsequent pursuit of legal practice in Uganda.
According to the regulatory framework, the Bachelor of Laws is a prerequisite for entry into the Law Development Centre (LDC), the institution responsible for the Bar Course. Students graduating from unaccredited programs are ineligible for admission to the LDC, effectively barring them from the legal profession. The Law Council has issued a standing advisory for prospective students and parents to verify the accreditation status of their chosen institutions against the official registry before committing to enrollment.
The Accredited Registry
The current list of 19 approved institutions, as established by the most recent regulatory review, comprises the following universities:
- Makerere University
- Kampala International University
- Nkumba University
- Uganda Christian University
- Uganda Pentecostal University
- Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)
- Bishop Stuart University
- King Ceasor University
- Cavendish University
- Gulu University
- International University of East Africa
- Uganda Martyrs University
- Kabale University
- Metropolitan University
- Victoria University
- Uganda Technology and Management University
- Ndejje University
Note: The Islamic University in Uganda is represented across multiple campuses within the Council’s regulatory oversight.
Institutional Compliance and Oversight
The Law Council’s mandate remains focused on the quality control of legal education as demand for law degrees continues to fluctuate across the country’s tertiary sector. The committee’s latest announcement functions as a formal notice to both academic administrators and the public regarding which degrees will be recognized for professional licensing purposes.
While several universities have moved to align their internal quality assurance mechanisms with the Law Council’s criteria, the committee has not provided a timeline for the next scheduled review of the accredited list, leaving the current registry as the primary reference point for legal education providers and their students.
