Uganda’s Judiciary has rejected a directive issued by the Uganda Law Society (ULS) instructing lawyers to stop addressing judges as “My Lord” or “My Lady” and to abandon the longstanding practice of bowing before judicial officers in court.
The directive, signed by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde, argues that such titles and courtroom customs are “feudal and colonial honorifics” that elevate judges above the citizens they serve.
The lawyers’ body said the reforms are intended to decolonise Uganda’s justice system, restore dignity to litigants, and eliminate practices it describes as outdated and humiliating.
Under the new guidance, the ULS instructed its members to stop using titles such as “My Lord”, “Your Lordship”, “My Lady” and “Your Worship”. Instead, advocates are encouraged to address judicial officers as “Mr Justice”, “Madam Justice”, “Mr Judge”, “Madam Judge”, “Mr Magistrate”, “Madam Magistrate”, or simply use their surnames where appropriate.
The society also directed lawyers to remain standing upright while addressing the court, saying advocates and litigants should “speak as free citizens” without engaging in acts of physical subservience such as bowing.
However, Judiciary spokesperson James Ereemye dismissed the directive, saying the ULS has no authority to determine how judges should be addressed in court. Ereemye said the Judiciary would continue to require the established courtroom decorum, maintaining that lawyers must adhere to the traditions recognised by the courts.
Like many former British colonies, Uganda inherited much of its legal system and courtroom etiquette from the United Kingdom.
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