About the Competition
The Justice Laeticia M. Kikonyogo Memorial Inter-University Moot Court Competition is an annual event launched by Onyango & Co. Advocates to empower first-year law students (second semester) across Uganda with practical skills in legal advocacy, research, and writing. Held every March, starting in 2026, this pioneering initiative honours the legacy of Justice Laeticia M. Kikonyogo, a trailblazing Ugandan jurist renowned for her contributions to gender equality and access to justice.
- Theme:The theme for the 2026 moot competition is “Advancing Access to Justice in Uganda’s Criminal Legal System”
This competition provides a unique platform for first-year law students to engage with contemporary legal issues. The 2026 competition adopts a hybrid format—online preliminary and quarter/semi-final rounds and an in-person grand finale—ensuring accessibility for participants across Uganda. By fostering skills development, networking, and ethical advocacy, the Justice Laeticia M. Kikonyogo Moot Court Competition aims to build a community of young lawyers committed to justice and equity.
Key Features:
- Eligibility:Open to first-year law students(second semester) from accredited Ugandan law schools.
- Team Composition:Teams of three (two oralists, one researcher), with encouragement of gender balance(e.g., at least one female member).
- Training:Two mandatory online training sessions on legal research, memorial writing, and oral advocacy, led by experienced advocates.
- Prizes:Justice Kikonyogo Memorial Trophy, 3-month internships at Onyango & Co. Advocates, certificates, among others.
Why Participate?
Launch your advocacy journey, develop critical legal skills, and contribute to a legacy of justice! Register now
- Registration Deadline:15th December 2025
- Register Here:[Link to Registration Form]
- Follow us:#KikonyogoMoot2026 | Twitter/X: @oc_advocates | Linkedln: Onyango and Co Advocates
Moot Problem and Instructions
Moot Problem Overview
The 2026 moot problem, Mulengo & Another v. The Republic of Azania (CA/CR/2025/001), is a compelling fictional criminal appeal set before the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Azania. It centers on the murder of Steven Tomasi Mulengo, a former minister and presidential candidate, allegedly by his sons, Antonio and Francis Mulengo. The case involves political intrigue, family conflict, and allegations of state interference, challenging students to analyse fair trial violations, evidentiary sufficiency, and sentencing proportionality.
Issues for Argument:
i. Whether the High Court violated their right to a fair trial under Article 28 of the Azanian Constitution due to state interference (e.g., court raids, rearrest after bail) and exclusion of key evidence and witnesses.
ii. Whether the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, given conflicting testimonies, multiple bullet calibres, and possible third-party or state involvement.
iii. Whether the death penalty by shooting is cruel, inhuman, or disproportionate under Azanian law.
iv. Whether the Trail Judge exceeded jurisdiction by modifying the statutory execution method
v. Whether undue delay in determining the appeal constitutes a violation of fair trial rights and /or inhuman treatment warranting relief.
Download the Moot Problem here
Competition Instructions
The competition adheres to clear rules to ensure fairness and accessibility:
- Eligibility:Open to first-year law students (second semester) at accredited Ugandan law schools, with a maximum of three teams per university.
- Format:Hybrid (online preliminaries, in-person finale).
- Memorial Submission:Electronic memorials (Century Gothic, 11 pt, max 15 pages) due by 30th January 2026 to kikonyogomoot@onyangoadvocates.com. No hard copies required.
- Oral Rounds:Each team has 20 minutes.
- Ethical Standards:Plagiarism or unethical conduct results in disqualification. AI use is permitted for research but not for generating full arguments.
- Data Protection:Participant data is protected under Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act, Cap 97. Request access/deletion at kikonyogomoot@onyangoadvocates.com
Key Dates:
- 15th December 2025:Registration and payment deadline.
- 14th–15th January 2026:Mandatory training sessions (online).
- 30th January 2026:Memorial submission deadline.
- 18th March 2026:Preliminary and quarter/semi-final rounds (online).
- 20th March 2026:Grand finale and awards ceremony.
Download the Full Instructions here:
Sponsors and Partners
Interested in becoming a Sponsor or Partner?
Download our sponsorship package [Link to pdf] or contact us at kikonyogomoot@onyangoadvocates.com.
FAQs
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Who can participate?
First-year law students (second semester) from accredited law schools in Uganda, forming teams of three (two oralists, one researcher) with at least a faculty coach.
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What is the registration fee?
UGX 200,000 per team, covering training sessions, materials, and logistics.
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How do I register?
Complete the online form at [Link to Registration Form] and submit proof of payment to kikonyogomoot@onyangoadvocates.com by 15th December 2025.
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What support is provided?
Two mandatory online training sessions, digital resources and recorded webinars.
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Can teams use AI tools?
AI use is permitted for research but not for generating full arguments. Declare use in a cover letter with memorials.
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What are the prizes?
Winners receive the Justice Kikonyogo Memorial Trophy, internships, certificates, among others. All participants get certificates.
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How are memorials and oral rounds judged?
Memorials: legal analysis (40%), clarity (30%), structure (30%).
Oral rounds: legal knowledge(40%), advocacy skills (40%, advocacy skills (40%), responsiveness(20%)