Expert-led Boot Camp Equips Law Students for the Upcoming Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition 2023
May 4, 2023
Preserving Privacy in the Age of Innovation: Unwanted Witness Uganda Calls for Crucial Need for Data Privacy with Digital Number Plates
October 5, 2023
Islamic university in Uganda Kampala Campus celebrating their victory at the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot2023
27/09/2023
On September 22, 2023, Islamic University in Uganda Kampala Campus emerged triumphant at the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition 2023. The event, co-organized by Unwanted Witness and the Public Interest Law Clinic of Makerere University, unfolded on September 21st and 22nd. Delving into the theme of "Balancing Privacy and National Security: Navigating the Impact of Surveillance Laws on Individual Freedom," the competition witnessed spirited contention among 15 campuses representing 12 universities from across Uganda. The contest was structured into preliminary rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals.
The participating universities encompassed a range of academic institutions, including Bishop Stuart University – Mbarara, Cavendish University Uganda, Gulu University, International University of East Africa (IUEA), Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) - Female Campus, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) - Kampala Campus, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) - Main Campus, Nkumba University, King Ceasor University, Makerere University (MUK), Kampala International University (KIU), Uganda Christian University (UCU) - Kampala Campus, Uganda Christian University (UCU) - Mukono Campus, Uganda Martyrs University, and Uganda Pentecostal University (UPU).
Participants of the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition during preliminary rounds at Makerere Law School
From these institutions, Cavendish University Uganda, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Kampala, Makerere University (MUK), and Kampala International University (KIU) progressed to the quarter-finals.
The finals were a duel between Cavendish University and Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Kampala, with the latter emerging as the overall winner. IUIU Kampala Campus won the trophies for Best Written Submission (Applicant and Respondent). Additionally, Kityo Martin won the accolade for the “Best Oralist” from the Competition. Cavendish University emerged as the first runner-up for the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition
Kityo Martin Kisambira from IUIU Kampala Campus during the final rounds of the Moot at Makerere University
Aida Gift Kisambira from IUIU Kampala Campus during the final rounds of the Moot at Makerere University
Expressing their elation, Kityo Martin remarked, "Our victory has left us elated, honored, and deeply grateful. It's not just a personal triumph but a victory for our families, friends, coaches, and school, Islamic University in Uganda – Kampala Campus. We are certainly thrilled about the opportunity to attend the Privacy Symposium Africa 2023, the biggest continental privacy gathering." Kisambira Aida Gift highlighted the growing importance of Data Protection and Privacy and aspires to advocate for these rights with increasing knowledge in this field.
The competition featured two mooters from each university, one male and one female, guided by a coordinator. The preliminary rounds commenced at 9:00 a.m., with teams assigned to three courtrooms each facing a panel of three judges. The teams used specific codes instead of university names for identification, such as Code: Uw-PMC-10-2023 to avoid bias and promote transparency.
One of the courtrooms for the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot 2023 at Makerere University
The judges for the privacy moot preliminary rounds, quarterfinals, and semifinals included David Kasibante, Joel Roy Mucunguzi, Mutesi Gloria Faith, Brian Kiira, Daniel Saral Khananai, Peter Ahabwe, LastoneGulume, Elijah Enyimu, and Saphirah Kubakulungi. The written Memorials were assessed by Counsel Ann Ttendo and Counsel Okumu Sophie Michelle, ensuring a balanced evaluation with an average from both judges.
A panel of judges during the Quarter Finals of the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition 2023 . From the right
The finals saw eminent judges, including Hon. Justice Prof. Lilian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, Hon. Justice Eva Kawuma Luswata, and Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire, providing valuable feedback to the mooters on legal matters and oral presentations.
PHOTO MOMENT: Our Hourable Justices,Hon. Justice Prof. Lilian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, Hon. Justice Eva KawumaLuswata, and Hon. Justice GeoffreyKiryabwire, Ms. Stella Alibateese, Ms.Dorothy Mukasa , Professor ChristopherMbazira and the finalists
Our keynote speaker for the day, Ms. Stella Alibateese, the National Executive Director of thePersonal Data Protection Office, commended the event for initiating critical conversations around privacy and data protection.
Ms. Stella Alibateese, the National Executive Director of the Personal Data Protection Office giving her speech
“I want to thank Unwanted Witness for continuing with these Moot competitions. They are a good step in the right direction towards building capacity in the understanding of what privacy is, awareness on the matter, how we can enforce our right to privacy and also build capacity for the future privacy defenders and practitioners.”
Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire commended the moot as a significant improvement from the previous year, noting the enhanced level of confidence and preparation, as well as the courtroom-like setup.
Hon. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire will giving his remarks
The Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot 2023 wasn't merely a competition; it served as aneducational experience for those who witnessed and followed it online. Participants and attendees praised the event for exploring the crucial yet intricate laws related to privacy in Uganda.
Birungi Agira one of the participants noted that the experience at this year's moot Court has been thrilling and hot! She appreciated Unwanted Witness for exploring this Imperative yet peculiar law in Uganda
Niwagaba James China, one of the mooters, also emphasized,
If there is any memory that will last forever, the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court 2023 is inexorably among them. This experience meant a lot in my career path. I'm reminiscing about all the wonderful people and moments. I can't thank you enough, but VIVA Unwanted Witness.
Counsel SSEMANDA, the court clerk, noted,
We shall all become experts in privacy law. I'm submitting to you all that I feel like I have too many authorities to rely on after the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition.
Nyandieka Bundi Julius, an online participant noted,
an interaction with different principles of the law, primarily on data privacy. It was indeed a great exposure. A lot was learned. Regards to the organizers and oralists, it was nice working with you! Balancing privacy and national security matters! A nice experience.
Precious Karungi noted,
Thanks, Unwanted Witness, for this privacy moot. It has been more of a classroom experience, following online the whole day...next year will be even better.
A Twitter poll conducted after the event revealed that the audience was particularly captivated by the legal debates and the thoughtful balance between privacy and national security, appreciating the overall organization of the privacy moot.
A Twitter poll conducted after the event and it’s finding
“I’m happy to note that as I was going through social media, I saw heart-warming comments about what has been picked from this place and that is the overall purpose of this moot. And also to touch on the novel topic of Privacy and Data protection. We need you in the courtrooms to defend our Privacy and we need you to effectively defend our right to privacy,”
In the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition 2023, enticing prizes awaited the participating teams. Notably, the rewards included an all-expenses-paid trip to Mauritius, a cash prize of two million Uganda Shillings for the overall winner, and the grand trophy.
Kityo Martin and Aida Gift Kisambira from IUIU Kampala Campus won these prizes and are now set to attend the Privacy Symposium Africa 2023 from November 7th to 9th, 2023, in Mauritius.
The Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot 2023 took place at Makerere University Law School over two days, from Thursday, the 21st to Friday, the 22nd of September. The event was held under the theme of balancing privacy rights and national security while navigating the impact of surveillance laws on individual freedom. This was the second edition of the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition. The moot was an engaging platform where legal minds converged to deliberate on the delicate equilibrium between privacy and the imperative of national security, this moot stood as a testament to the evolving discourse on privacy in today's digital era.
