LDC calls for probe into universities over fake law degrees

Summary:

• The Law Development Centre (LDC) has urged the Uganda Law Council to investigate degrees from certain universities amid a surge in Bar course applications, with the head of the Bar Course citing an admission increase due to high numbers of first-class and second-class upper degree holders, expressing hope for the law council to address the situation.

The Law Development Centre (LDC) is urging the Uganda Law Council, the regulatory body for the legal profession in the country, to investigate degrees from certain universities that are raising suspicions. The request comes in light of an unusually high number of students enrolling in the Bar course at LDC, as reported by New Vision Online.

Annet Karungi, the head of the Bar Course at LDC, made this appeal while presenting the institution’s proposed budget for the upcoming financial year 2024/2025 to Parliament’s legal committee. During the session, Robinah Rwakoojo, the Gomba West Member of Parliament, sought clarification on complaints from students who claimed to have paid fees but were not admitted.

In response, Karungi informed the Members of Parliament that LDC received an overwhelming 3,000 applications for the Bar course in the current academic year, surpassing the expected 1,800. Consequently, the center admitted 2,417 students across its four campuses.

Karungi clarified that no student was denied admission, but due to the high number of applicants with first-class and second-class upper degrees from certain universities, only 60 percent from each university were admitted. She assured the MPs that the remaining applicants would be accommodated in the next academic year.

During the discussion, Usuk County MP John Bosco Okiror and Bunyole East MP Yusuf Mutembule sought information on whether the authenticity of degrees could be verified after students are admitted. Karungi responded by noting that, based on their observations, many students with first-class degrees are not necessarily the best, and some tend to clog the system by repeating various subjects. She expressed hope that the Uganda Law Council would address this issue.