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LDC cancels Mabikke’s papers, recalls Mbidde’s
L-R: Fred Mukasa Mbidde’s law diploma has been recalled while Michael Mabikke has had his law diploma cancelled.
What you need to know:
Repercussion. The affected lawyers will not practice.
Kampala. Nine lawyers, including former Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke, have had their post-graduate diplomas in legal practice cancelled with immediate effect after being found guilty of engaging in examination malpractice.
The nine lawyers whose diplomas have been cancelled are Michael Mabikke, Ms Fiona Asiimwe Rwakiseeta, Mr David Balondemu, Mr Dennis Jenkins Kyazze, Moses Mugimba Muhumuza, Priscilla Mutebi, Dorothy Amuron, Joseph Lubega and Jane Namaganda.
The diplomas were cancelled by the awarding institution, Law Development Centre (LDC).
The cancellation of the diploma certificates in legal practice means that the affected individuals cannot represent clients in court. The law requires that only advocates with a post-graduate diploma in legal practice from LDC are eligible to represent a client in court.
The lawyers whose diplomas were cancelled were also ordered to return their certificates to the Academic Registrar of LDC, the only institution in the country that awards such diplomas.
In its statement to the media, the LDC said they reached the recommendations after a sub-committee was constituted to investigate the allegations of examination malpractice at the institution between 2004 and 2011.
“The named individuals whose diplomas have been cancelled or recalled are required to return their original transcripts and diploma certificates to the academic registrar Law Development Centre within seven days of the publication of this press release. LDC no longer recognises the award and validity of the diplomas cancelled and recalled,” reads part of the LDC press statement.
The LDC has also recalled with immediate effect the diplomas of seven lawyers, including city lawyer and member of the East African Legislative Assembly, Mr Denis Mukasa Mbidde, for further scrutiny.
Re-sitting paper
According to the statement, Mr Mbidde is required to re-sit special examinations in criminal proceedings within one year from the date of the notice.
Others whose diplomas have been recalled and will require to sit special examinations are Friday Roberts Kagoro, Micheal Ezadri Onyafia, Deo Kizito Lutalo, Felistas Muloiti Nafula and Florence Kataike (criminal proceedings) while Jackie Evelyn Nakalembe will sit special exams in land transactions.
Four former senior staff who were found to have committed some irregularities in the alleged examination fraud will be subjected to disciplinary proceedings. They include Ms Joyce Werikhe (former secretary of Human Resource and administration and also former registrar), Mr Expedite Kaaya (former head Bar Course), Mr Hamis Lukyamuzi (former manager Administration and former senior assistant secretary), and Ms Teopista Nalule (former copy typist).
Likewise, 49 lawyers have been absolved of any wrongdoing.
In a separate move, city tycoon Hamis Kiggundu has been referred to the Law Council for further action. The businessman has been referred to the Law Council alongside prominent human rights lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde for allegedly assisting the Mr Kiggundu write his exams.
Failed court rescue
Core to these recommendations of the LDC sub-committee, Mr Mukasa and Mr Mabikke had appealed to the Court of Appeal about two years ago, seeking to block LDC from appointing a committee to investigate their papers.
However, the Court of Appeal in May last year dismissed their petition and ruled that LDC had powers to set up a forensic committee to investigate such allegations of impropriety in its examination processes and results. Subsequent to the ruling, the LDC commenced the investigations leading to these recommendations.
Cleared, implicated
Lawyers cleared of wrongdoing.
Mr Talemwa Colin
Ms Kyobutungi Diana
Mr Rwanyonga Ambrose
Mr Sseruyiggo Brian Martin
Mr Sebagala Jon
Mr Mwenyio Shifa
Ms Nabungye Dinah
Mr Mwesigye Abel
Mr Mwanje Robert
Ms Nalugwa Mariam
Mr Namungo Hamuza
Ms Kyokunda Annet
Mr Piwang Bob Pastor
Mr Okello Brian
Mr Kabogoza Brian
Mr Mugaha Rodney
Mr Mugaya Abdalah
Mr Renge Simon Peter
Mr Nyero Patrick Reagan
Ms Ichodu Susan
Ms Murungi Stella
Ms Nambozo Eunice
Mr Okello Javuru Ronny
Ms Tumwebaze Annita
Ms Zawedde Gloria
Ms Arinaitwe Diana Faith
Mr Arinaitwe Davis Barigye
Mr Beehamya Ron Phillip
Mr Ceng David Leeright
Mr Chirchir Mark
Mr Ddamba Joffrey
Mr Ishepai Vicent
Ms Karungi Barbara
Ms Kitaka Namutebi Damaris
Ms Kulume Beatrice
Mr Magezi James
Mr Mbabazi Alex
Mr Nabaasa Enid
Ms Rwandarugali Phiona
Mr Were Kevin
Mr Itarikire Elias
Mr Mbajja Bashir
Ms Naluwooza Barbara
Ms Lamuno Sheila
Mr Muganza Joshua
Mr Mwehistye Michael
Ms Okumu Stella
Mr Talemwa Colin
Lawyers absolved and their diplomas confirmed.
Mr Kirumira Arthur Nicholas
Mr Tindyebwa Brian Kusingura
Ms Rukundo Hope Mutoni
Mr Buwaso Moses
Ms Arwako Patricia
Ms Kabinga Esther
Mr Buwaso Moses
Ms Angom Harriet
Mr Akuku Saviour Olikare
Mr Komakech Richard Rich
Ms Nakityo Veronica
Mr Nicholas Wamboga
Mr Tumwebaze Rachel Shelagh
Mr Namara Denis
Ms Bishagenda Dorothy
Mr Muwonge Hakim
Mr Mugisha Richard Rwakatooke
Mr Asuman Muhumuza
Mr Kayongo Jackson
Mr Ojara Patrick
Mr Okurut Moses
Candidates to sit special exams within one year.
Mr Lutalo Kizito Deo
Mr Mukasa Fred Dennis (Mbidde)
Ms Nakalembe Jackie Evelyn
Ms Kagoro Friday Roberts
Ms Kataike Florence.
