UW Privacy Moot 2025 Overview
The Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition has evolved into one of East Africa’s premier platforms for nurturing legal talent and promoting dialogue on pressing issues in data protection and privacy.
Since its inception, the competition has grown exponentially, starting with universities from Uganda and expanding to include Kenya in the 2024 edition. This year’s 4th Edition marks a significant milestone as it goes fully regional, bringing together universities from four East African countries—Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda—in a celebration of legal excellence and cross-border collaboration.
The 2025 edition will be hosted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and will focus on a critical theme at the intersection of technology and human rights: data protection and privacy in national ID systems.
2025 Theme: Safeguarding Personal Data in National Digital ID Systems
Focus Area and Objective
The theme for this year’s competition, "Safeguarding Personal Data in National Digital ID Systems," underscores the vital need to address data protection challenges within the realm of national identification systems.
As digital identity becomes integral to governance, service delivery, and economic participation, concerns about privacy breaches, data security, and inclusivity remain paramount. The competition will focus on these pressing issues, aiming to:
- Cultivate a deep understanding of data protection and privacy laws among the next generation of East African lawyers.
- Encourage robust debate and innovative legal arguments on the regulation of digital ID systems.
- Foster regional cooperation and dialogue on harmonizing data protection standards across East Africa.
- Highlight the role of legal practitioners in safeguarding human rights in the digital age.
Format and Structure
The competition will involve universities from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, engaging in a rigorous series of rounds to showcase their advocacy and legal research skills in Data Protection and Privacy Law. Participants will analyze a moot problem centered on data protection and privacy in national ID systems. Teams will argue for both the Applicant and the Respondent, providing a comprehensive exploration of the issues.
Prizes and Awards
The 2025 Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition will recognise exceptional performances with awards such as:
- Overall Champion: $1,500, a trophy, medals, certificates, and a fully paid trip to attend the 7th Privacy Symposium Africa.
- 1st Runners-Up: $500, a trophy, and certificates.
- Best Overall Oralist: An accolade and a certificate.
- Best Written Submissions for the Applicant: An accolade and a certificate.
- Best Written Submissions for the Respondent: An accolade and a certificate.
- Each participant will receive a certificate of participation.
Significance of the Competition
The expansion of the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition across East Africa reflects the growing recognition of privacy and data protection as pivotal issues in our increasingly digital society. By involving multiple nations, this year’s moot aims to:
- Build a regional consensus on best practices in privacy law.
- Promote collaboration among academic institutions and future legal practitioners.
- Inspire innovative legal arguments and frameworks that address real-world issues in data governance.
