What awaits the new head of the LDCs, Tibihikirra

The Legal Development Center (LDC) has appointed Dr Pamela Tibihikirra-Kalyegira as its new director.

Justice Paul Kahaibale Mugamba, Chairman of the LDC Management Committee, made the announcement yesterday.

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Pamela Tibihikirra as Director of the Legal Development Centre. He succeeds Mr. Frank Nigei Othembi, whose tenure as director ended in April 2024 after 12 years of committed and impeccable service,” Justice Mugamba announced.

Dr Tibihikirra inherits a bittersweet legacy from previous leadership and is prepared to confront the recurring challenges the institution has faced, from the high failure rate to exam practice.

President of the Uganda Law Society, Bernard Oundo, congratulated the outgoing director, Othembi, for contributing to the development of legal education despite the challenging environment.

“I think your priorities should be as follows; improve the quality of curriculum delivery, especially in light of the increase in the number of students in the LDCs and the decentralization policy that has been adopted, strengthen human capital, improve the grievance handling mechanism and strengthen the corporate image and reputation,” Mr. Oundo said.

Former Uganda Law Society and member of the LDC Management Committee, Mr Simon Peter Kinobe, tasked the new director with managing the institution’s large number of law students.

“The new director will have to address the issue of the large number of lawyers admitted to obtain the diploma and the impossibility of welcoming them. So, he arrives at a time when his leadership will be very necessary because he has investigated the management of large entities,” he added.

Likewise, the President of the Uganda Prosecutors Association, Mrs. Immaculate Draru Angutuko, said she welcomes the appointment of Dr. Tibihikirra.

He said that LDC, being the only institution in the country that offers the Lawyers Course, is a key training center for all lawyers who practice law in the courts of the judiciary and that includes prosecutors, among others.

“Leadership plays a crucial role in product standards and quality. Dr. Tibihikirra has great knowledge and experience in leadership and legal education, among others, to rise to the task and further grow the legal center from which Mr. Othembi started to greater heights in his fight for excellence. We wish you all the best,” he said.

John Musiime, LDC’s external lawyer, said Dr. Tibihikirra has to deal with the massive admission of students who demand passing on one hand and on the other; the legal duty to ensure the quality of legal education and fitness for purpose.

LDC has been criticized for the huge failure rate of students in recent years. For example, in the results published for the 2022/2023 academic year, only 701 out of 2,087 students passed the Lawyers Course on the first attempt. Unfortunately, this has been a recurring problem at the institution.

Justice Mugamba said he is the right person for the job given his leadership track record.

“Dr. Tibihikirra’s demonstrated leadership and transformative approach will undoubtedly guide the Legal Development Center toward greater success in legal education. “We have full confidence in their ability to drive innovation and expand our vision and mission,” he stated.

LDC is the only institution in Uganda that offers the Lawyers Course leading to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice. In Uganda, a litigant (client) cannot be represented in court without an LDC Postgraduate Diploma Certificate.