Uganda Scraps Colonial Court Traditions, Bans ‘Your Lordship’ and Bowing to Judges

Uganda Scraps Colonial Court Traditions, Bans ‘Your Lordship’ and Bowing to Judges

The Uganda Law Association has directed lawyers across the country to stop bowing to judges and to discontinue the use of colonial-era courtroom titles such as “Your Lordship” and “Your Worship” as part of efforts to modernise the country’s justice system.

The directive took immediate effect following an executive order signed by the association’s president, Isaac Ssemakadde, on Tuesday to coincide with Saba Saba Day, which marks resistance against authoritarianism in East Africa.

According to the association, the reforms are aimed at dismantling colonial traditions that encourage unnecessary displays of deference in courtrooms. It argued that such practices no longer reflect the values of a modern, democratic justice system.

The association also expressed concern over what it described as persistent challenges facing Uganda’s judiciary, including executive interference, delays in the delivery of justice, judicial corruption, selective justice, and intimidation of legal practitioners.

It further accused the military of undermining judicial independence through unlawful arrests, court invasions, the trial of civilians before military tribunals, and obstruction of lawyers and journalists.

Under the new directive, lawyers are prohibited from bowing or engaging in any other form of physical submission before judicial officers.

Traditional honorifics such as “My Lord,” “Your Lordship,” “My Lady,” “Your Ladyship,” and “Your Worship” have also been abolished.

Instead, appellate court judges will now be addressed as “Mr. Justice” or “Madam Justice,” High Court judges as “Mr. Judge” or “Madam Judge,” while magistrates will be referred to as “Mr. Magistrate” or “Madam Magistrate.”

Judicial officers may also be addressed by their surnames where appropriate.

The association further instructed lawyers and litigants to “stand upright and speak as free citizens,” stressing that courtroom conduct should promote equality rather than elevate public officials above ordinary citizens.

As part of the reforms, the association announced plans to begin a nationwide consultation within 90 days to review judicial dress, courtroom language, and other long-standing court practices.

The review will examine the continued use of colonial wigs, gowns, and foreign-language requirements, with the aim of adopting alternatives that better reflect Uganda’s culture, history, and climate.

The consultation will also consider revisions to the judiciary’s client charter to ensure it is written in plain language and guarantees citizens respectful treatment, timely access to justice, access to information, and effective redress.