BY OUR REPORTER
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), in collaboration with the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), is organising the National Inter-University Access to Justice, Discrimination and Equal Opportunities Moot Court Competition 2026, bringing together law students from accredited law schools and universities across Uganda.
The competition seeks to nurture the next generation of legal practitioners while promoting a deeper understanding of access to justice, equality, non-discrimination and equal opportunities.
The initiative is aligned with the Commission’s constitutional and statutory mandate to eliminate discrimination and inequalities, take affirmative action to redress existing imbalances and promote equal opportunities for all.
Advancing Access to Justice Through Legal Education
The moot provides students with an opportunity to move beyond classroom-based legal education and engage with practical legal advocacy. Participants will be required to research the Moot Problem, prepare written memorials for both sides and demonstrate their oral advocacy, analytical and legal reasoning skills.
Through the competition, the EOC and IDLO seek to encourage law students to appreciate the practical dimensions of equality and non-discrimination and the role that lawyers can play in ensuring that persons and communities are able to access justice without discrimination or marginalisation.
The EOC’s mandate expressly includes promoting public awareness and understanding of equal opportunities and treatment and organising educational programmes, workshops, seminars and other initiatives that advance these objectives.
The competition is open to accredited universities and law schools across Uganda.
The competition therefore provides a national platform for students from institutions in different parts of Uganda to meet, compete and exchange ideas around issues that are central to the administration of justice and the protection of equal rights.
Two Days of Competition
The competition will be conducted over two days.
Wednesday, 23 September 2026 – Preliminary Rounds
The preliminary rounds will take place on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. The venue will be communicated to participating institutions following completion of the necessary arrangements.
Thursday, 24 September 2026 – Semi-Finals, Finals and Awards
The semi-final and final rounds will take place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, with arrangements being made to host the culminating rounds at the Supreme Court of Uganda, subject to the necessary clearance and approval.
The competition will conclude with an award ceremony, at which the winning team and other outstanding participants will be recognised.
Participation and Facilitation
Participating institutions will be required to constitute teams and comply with the Moot Problem and Competition Guidelines and Rules issued by the organisers.
Teams will prepare and submit written memorials for both the Applicant and Respondent in accordance with the requirements set out in the competition materials.
To facilitate participation, the organisers will provide:
A modest transport refund for participating law schools within Kampala; and
A transport refund and night allowance for two nights for participating teams travelling from outside Kampala.
A Platform for the Next Generation of Lawyers
The competition is more than a contest in oral advocacy. It is intended to contribute to the development of lawyers who understand the relationship between law, equality and social justice.
Discrimination, marginalisation and unequal access to opportunities can prevent individuals and communities from fully enjoying their rights and participating in social, economic, political and cultural life. The EOC’s statutory mandate therefore places particular emphasis on eliminating discrimination, promoting equal opportunities and taking affirmative action in favour of marginalised groups.
By placing these questions at the centre of a national moot court competition, the EOC and IDLO seek to encourage students to critically examine how the law can be used not only to resolve disputes, but also to advance a more just and inclusive society.
The competition will also create opportunities for students to interact with members of the Judiciary, legal practitioners and other stakeholders, exposing them to different perspectives on the practical administration of justice.
Moot Problem and Competition Guidelines
Accredited law schools interested in participating are encouraged to obtain and carefully study the Moot Problem and Competition Guidelines and Rules, which contain the requirements governing participation, preparation and submission of memorials, and the conduct of the oral rounds.
Moot Problem can be accessed here: https://www.eoc.go.ug/your-voice-your-argument-for-justice-announcing-the-2026-national-inter-university-moot-court-competition-on-access-to-justice-discrimination-equal-opportunities/
For confirmation of participation and further information, institutions may contact the Moot Coordinator, Equal Opportunities Commission, through:
The Equal Opportunities Commission and IDLO look forward to welcoming law students from across Uganda to a competition that seeks to advance access to justice, strengthen understanding of equality and non-discrimination, and empower the next generation of legal practitioners to champion equal opportunities for all.