MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF LAW

A REPORT ON FIELD ATTACHMENT PROGRAM CONDUCTED ATKM

ADVOCATES AND ASSOCIATES FROM 10th/ JUNE/2014 to 1st/
AUGUST/2014.

BY
KAKAIRE ANDREW
11/U/15377/PS

FIELD SUPERVISOR:
MR.KIKOMEKO MUHAMMAD

SIGNATURE: ……………………………

UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR:
MS.ADOCH CAROLINE

SIGNATURE: ……………………………

JULY- AUGUST 2014

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 DECLARATION

I KAKAIRE ANDREW (Reg No.: 11/U/15377/PS) hereby declare that

this internship report is my original piece of work and has never been submitted to
any institution of learning for the award of any award.

Signature ………………………………..

KAKAIRE ANDREW (Reg No.: 11/U/15377/PS)

Date: ……………………………….

ii
Approval

This internship report is an original piece of work for KAKAIRE ANDREW

(Reg No.: 11/U/15377/PS) which was carried out at KM ADVOCATES AND
ASSOCIATES FROM 10th/ JUNE/2014 to 1st/ AUGUST/2014 under my
supervision and is now ready for submission to Makerere University School of
Law.

UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR:
MS ADOCH CAROLINE
SIGNATURE: ……………………………

iii
Acknowledgement

First and foremost, I would like to thank the almighty God for the life, the power and the
protection he granted me to do my internship program successfully and also completing
this Report.
My sincere appreciation goes to the management and staff of KM ADVOCATES AND
ASSOCIATES for giving me the opportunity to do my internship at their Law firm. I am
grateful to all the partners of KM ADVOCATES AND ASSOCIATES for the hospitality,
guidance and the facilitating in line with the Legal Profession that they gave me.
In a special way, I would also like to thank my work supervisors, Miss Adoch Caroline
and Mr.Kikomeko Muhammad for the guidance, mentorship and the time they gave me
during the internship period to ensure that my internship program was a success. I
wouldn’t have reached to this level without your support.
I express my sincere thanks to my Brothers and sisters for encouraging, inspiring and
motivating me to work hard, your support helped me to finish my internship exercise
successfully.
Finally, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my family members especially my father
Dr.Kakaire David, my mother Mrs. Kakaire Ruth Kiwanuka, for the maximum support
they have financially, morally and emotionally offered to ensure that my internship
exercise is successfully finished. I wish all of you success and prosperity in your future
endeavors.

May God bless you

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Table of Contents

Contents
DECLARATION .......................................................................................................................................... ii
Approval ...................................................................................................................................................... iii
Acknowledgement ....................................................................................................................................... iv
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... v
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... viii
LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................ x
CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND.................................................................................................. 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Background to the field attachment program. ................................................................................... 1
1.2 Objectives of the field attachment program ...................................................................................... 2
1.3 Background of the institution of placement ...................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Duties and Responsibilities Undertaken ........................................................................................... 5
2.2.1 Attendance of court sessions ......................................................................................................... 5
2.2.2. Mediation ...................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.3. Visiting registries .......................................................................................................................... 6
2.2.4. Bill of costs ................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.5. Trial bundles ................................................................................................................................. 9
2.2.6. Legal opinions ............................................................................................................................. 10
2.2.7 Research…………………………………………………………………………………………….10

2.2.8 Reading cases……………………………………………………………………………………….11

2.2.9 Going to police stations……………………………………………………………………………..11

2.3. New knowledge and skills acquired................................................................................................ 12

2.4. Relationship with other staff ........................................................................................................... 14

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2.5. Most enjoyed things and why ......................................................................................................... 14
2.5.2. Interaction with Lawyers ............................................................................................................ 15
2.6 Problems experienced and how they were handled. ....................................................................... 16
2.7. Major benefits derived from field attachment exercise on the side ofthe student. .......................... 16
2.7.1 New knowledge and practical experiences………………………………………………………….16

2.7.2 Improved problem solving…………………………………………………………………………16

2.7.3 Relationship with different categories of people……………………………………………………16

2.7.4. Exposure to the demands and challengesof the work environment. ........................................... 17
2.7.5. Opportunity to work with potential employers. .......................................................................... 17
2.7.6. Improved appreciation of the legal profession and ethics ........................................................... 17
CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................... 18
3.1 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................... 18
3.1.1 TO THE UNIVERSITY.............................................................................................................. 18
3.1.2 TO THE ORGANIZATION OF PLACEMENT ........................................................................ 19
3.1.3 TO THE FUTURE INTERNEES. .............................................................................................. 19
3.2 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................... 19
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................... 21
APPENDIX I: ............................................................................................................................................. 23
FIELDWORK WORKSHEET / DAIRY .................................................................................................... 23

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vii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report consists of the duties and obligations I performed at KM ADVOCATES AND
ASSOCIATES some of which include Land transactions, Company Registration, attending court
sessions, attending mediation proceedings, Legal opinions, and drafting legal documents. This
report also consists of how the above tasks were carried out some of which through carrying out
a good research, consultation with the Host supervisor and other lawyers and attending court
sessions. This report will also consist of the challenges I experienced during the internship
exercise. Which in summary include among others the difficulty of determining who the real
clients are, the beauracracy in many organizations that make the assignment given to drag on for
long periods of time sometimes due the level of corruption in various institutions where
monetary favors are asked from you not to mention the diverging from the established theoretical
law in a bid to please people in higher authorities or those with money also the bid difference
that exists between the theoretical and the practical bit of law. As well as the withholding of
work by the partners and other staff because they felt I did not have enough theoretical
knowledge to enable me do practical work. This report further contains the general ways of the
lawyers in the public today, their strengths, weaknesses, the challenges they face and their
Relationship with the outside world or with their clients. This report also includes some
recommendations to improve the field attachment exercise. These include encouraging the
employers to give interns work regardless of whether we have covered most of the practical
subjects or not. I also recommend that the Law school continues with the internship program to
enable the students acquire practical skills and acknowledge and also enhance in students a wide
and deeper understanding of the Law (legal system). In conclusion I consider the internship
program an eye opening activity that has clearly set out my path in regards to the legal
profession.

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ix
LIST OF ACRONYMS

KM KM ADVOCATES AND ASSOCIATES

URSB Uganda Registration Service Bureau

HS Host Supervisor

LPPU Land Police Protection Unit

AC Academic Supervisor

CAO Chief Administrative Officer

CPS Central Police Station

URA Uganda Revenue Authority

LC Local Council

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

AOA Articles of Association

x
xi
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.0 INTRODUCTION
This section looks at objectives of the internship, scope of the internship in relation to
geographical area and time. This chapter also looks at organizational profile like
background, organizational structure, organizational stock holders and organizational
activities.

1.1 Background to the field attachment program.

In a bid to improve the quality of graduates produced every year, Makerere University
introduced field attachment program where students reach out to various employment
institutions where they get to do practical tasks in line with the academic program they
are studying to the University.

Some of the reasons for the field attachment program are; to enable the students to
understand work ethics, employments demands and responsibilities and also to instill in
the students the courage, interest and the confidence to deal with real life problems
starting with solving live problems faced by students at their places of work.

The field attachment program was introduced in 2012 at the school of law. This came up
because the Administration realized that there was a need for students to acquire the
practical hands on experience. The administration further realized the need for students to
get familiar with the legal ethics and profession and also to appreciate the employment
environment.

Students are therefore required to attend court sessions to grasp the procedural aspects of
the law. Students are also required to go to the company registry, land registry and
become familiar with the procedures followed in incorporation of companied, buying or
registering land and lodging caveats.

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 Inaddition, students are also required to familiarize themselves with some of the court
documents, learn new ways of doing research and write legal opinions. Students are also
required to build professional relationships with the people they are working with who
are potential employers and also who may guide and mentor them when they join the
legal profession.1
In my perspective, to add on, the field attachment exercise provides the student a unique
opportunity to students to put into practice the theoretical knowledge they have acquired
overtime, also an opportunity to compare the theoretical bit of law with the practical bit
and be able to make a definitive choice as to the fields of law they may pursue.

1.2 Objectives of the field attachment program

i. To provide an opportunity for the student to apply the principles and techniques
theoretically learnt at law school into real life problem solving situations.
ii. To enable the student get hands on experience in real-life situations that am expected
to work in when I graduate.
iii. To provide an opportunity for the student to interact with the academic staff,
stakeholders and potential employers to appreciate field situations that will also
generate information for curricula review and improvement.
iv. To develop the student understands of the work ethics, employment demands,
responsibilities and opportunities.
v. To enhance and strengthen linkages between Makerere University and various
stakeholders
vi. To give students an opportunity to have more information when it comes to picking a
career path in law.
vii. Also through their reports to learn an improve the field attachment activity.

1
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/628987-makerere-to-make-internship-a-core-unit.html

2
1.3 Background of the institution of placement2
KM Advocates and Associates is a Ugandan based law firm with attorneys having educational
back grounds from the different parts of the world, and some with experience ranging from 45
years of legal practice.

The firm is bent on providing effective practical solutions to clients, and attorneys, at KM
advocates and associates cherishes the notion of value for value; giving clients results worth their
fee/input.
Its western oriented attorneys do understand well the sensitivities and concerns of NGOs hence
well placed to help them achieve their goals.

The Firm’s time conscious attorneys do always respect time guidelines and schedules given by
client and share in the zeal of being part of molding the future lawyers and providing an intern
position every year to students from various universities and those seeking clerkship with a aim
of creating a better student and a lawyer in the future.

Mr.Kikomeko Muhammad, the host supervisor, has had a commendable background having
practiced law at Nyanzi, Kiboneka and Company Advocates before leaving for his Masters
degree in Law at Howard University School of Law. In the United States he himself interned at
Pugh Law Group, a small law firm in largo, where he carefully observed ‘the American lawyer’
perspective to problem solving vis a vis British legal system.

He later worked with the friends of the World Food Institute, a food production policy think tank
under Doctor Echols Marsha, where he made lots of research on farming and land policy, small
scale farming and its commercialization on the African continent.

He is now a Professor of Law, teaching Agro-business, Trade and Investment Law (focus on
Investing in Africa), International Trade among others.

He initiated and founded the Food Law Centre at the Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU), an
institution engaged in researching on the potential of the Agricultural sector in the Great Lakes
region.

2
www.km-advocates.com

3
He is practicing Law, focusing on commercial transactions, Intellectual property, project finance,
Banking and financing, Agriculture, International Trade, Lobbying, Legal and Business
consulting, globalization, and International Regulatory affairs among others.

He is a member of the Uganda Law Society and East African Law Society.

In practice of all the above fields the firm ensures to include the interns closely so as to ensure
their smooth learning and making the experience memorable in a bid to nature a student that will
both love the law and as well be excellent at practicing it in any field of his choice.

This is done by including interns in various activities which among others include drafting of
legal documents these have been instrumental in developing my skill as an intern in drafting of
legal documents I have also been sent to many offices such as other law firms the East African
Community Affairs the headquarter of the Wakiso district headquarters where I had a chance to
meet the chief administrative officer and also I have had the chance to be part of mediation at
commercial court all these activities have been so enlightening ad have had a great impact to my
learning and putting into practice what I have learnt in class.

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CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Introduction
This chapter looks at the organization’s activities, the department I was assigned as well as roles
of the agency supervisor towards my activities.

2.2 Duties and Responsibilities Undertaken

2.2.1 Attendance of court sessions
One of my duties to accompany my host supervisor to court we went to the Nabweru chief
magistrate’s court however the matter was adjourned in those proceedings since the defendants
had just hired a new lawyer who had not acquainted themselves with the facts of the case.

However later I went to the commercial court where our clients were being sued for selling the
claimant land on agreement that they would remove the squatter which they did not do so the
claimant requested the return of the price and they failed to return the money thus the suit.

The matter was before His Lordship judge Wangtutsi at the commercial court who when the
hearing started inquired whether the agreement was in contention and both sides answered in the
negative he then angrily pointed out the fact that the parties had not turned up for mediation
which was a mandatory process and thus told them to go and carry out the mediation and go back
to court with a result this was done and a consent judgment was reached.

This helped me learn in detail the process of the court not to add how he emphasized that lawyers
in his court have to be robbed and properly dressed I keenly observed the court process and the
matter was heard in chamber it was an informative process.

2.2.2. Mediation
I had the chance to attend mediation as well this happened when I went with my host supervisor
to the commercial court after the learned judge had asked whether the sale agreement was in
contention and both parties answered in the negative he informed them that he had noticed that
the parties had not turned up for mediation and said that mediation was a mandatory process e
thus told both parties to go for mediation the return to court in an hours’ time.

5
I then had the opportunity to attend the mediation and learnt that this process is where both
parties seat and try to come to an understanding the lawyer of both sides seat and put the facts on
the table and each is given a chance to give his point of view these are supposed to be in line
with what the client’s instructions are.

In this mediation the claimant bought land with assurance from the defendants that they would
remove the squatters this latter turned out impossible and the claimant requested for the refund of
the full price with interest the defendants accepted and to show good will they gave the claimants
titles of land four years later the defendants had not paid and the claimant had denied them
access to the title which the defendants claimed they were to sell to pay the claimant.

During mediation the claimants accepted to hand the titles back to defendants and they also
accepted to pay within four months with an agreed interest.

I appreciated the process and observed that it is key in dealing with the case backlog and
dispensation of quick justice I also learnt that in each negotiation that goes well each party has to
do away with some demands, this in conclusion also enhances reconciliation vis a vis the court
process where court makes an order that is mandatory not to mention the financial aspect of the
parties who are able to save as regards funding the court process.

2.2.3. Visiting registries

I also had the responsibility of visiting registries especially the Uganda Registration Service
Bureau (URSB) this was in regard to the registration of companies mostly.
In this process a client would come with an idea of incorporating their company and they would
give you the general picture of how they would want their company to be and do then you would
reserve the name this entailed taking an application form for reservation of a name this is under
s; 18 of the companies act of 2012and the Registration amendment act, 2006toURSB an
assessment is made and if the name is available it is reserved and the money is paid mainly in
Diamond Trust Bank.

After that process then the memorandum and articles of association are drafted these are done in
accordance with the companies act3 and three copies are made and these have to go with the

3
Companies Act of 2012

6
assessment form that is paid the statement of nominal capital I it is in the matter of the Stamp
Act4, the form for registration of a company this is according to the 2nd schedule of the
Companies Act5 and the passport photos of the directors have to be assessed the declaration for
compliance wit the requirement of the companies act, the notice of situation of the registered
office and the registered postal address or of any change and the particulars of directors and
secretaries.

This process was as well as enlightening as regards my knowledge in business associations

practically I witnessed the use of subscribers of a company and to what extent they invest in
forming a company. Where a subscriber cannot hold the company accountable when the
company is formed as the rule in Salomon v Salomon6 it becomes a new entity and also separate
from its directors also as witnessed it is very possible for shareholder to be an employee of a
company this I witnessed when I was tasked to incorporate a clinic i.e. Heart Beat Health Care
where the majority shareholder was also the employee, doctor employed in the clinic this is my
humble opinion brought cases like Lee v Lee7 from the law reports to the seen applicability.

Also many a time I was sent to the court registry the process was the notice of motion is taken to
the clerk who opens up the case then a date is given and the file is taken to the registrar to sign
the registrar may return the file if it has any defects or he/she may sign it three copies are usually
made and one is retained while one is filed in the firm while the other is served to the other party
in the suit this document constitutes affidavit and annexures in this case the notice of motion was
to stay the execution of an exparte judgment which was passed in the absence of counsel and the
client.

2.2.4. Bill of costs

I drafted the bill of costs while using The Advocates (Remuneration and Taxation of costs)
Rules8 as a guide. Where I learnt how to draft a bill of costs the manner of preparing the bill of
costs is it is put in five columns in the following manner, the first or left-hand column for dates,
showing year, month, the second column for the number of the items the third column for the

4
Stamp Act Cap 342
5
Companies Act of 2012
6
Salomon v A Salomon & Co Ltd [1897} AC 22
7
Lee v Lee’s air farming limited[1961] AC 12
8
The Advocates act ,statutory instrument 267---4 order 47

7
particulars of the services charged for the fourth column for the professional charges claimed;
and the fifth column for the taxing officer’s deductions. Disbursements are shown separately at
the foot of the bill and fees for attending taxation are not included in the body of the bill, but
the item appears at the end, and the amount left blank for completion by the taxing
officer.9

The bill of costs is one of the essential documents used in preparation for a court proceeding
since it gives accountability to the client to help him or her fully understand how the total of
money that he pays to the lawyer as lawyers’ fees is arrived at, some of the items included in a
bill of costs include filing fees, travel expenses to and from court as well as costs for other forms
of documentation.

2.2.4 Civil marriage

During my internship I also had the opportunity to be part of a civil marriage process these are
carried out under the marriage act10 I was tasked with preparing the documents for notice of
marriage this according to the Marriage act11one of the parties to the intended marriage shall
sign and give to the registrar of the district in which the marriage is intended to
take place a notice in Form A in the First Schedule to the act.

However though that is spelt out in the act I was asked by my host supervisor to go to the
Wakiso District headquarters and inquire what the requirements are, when I went I was given a
more detailed list which included an affidavit from the two intending marriage parties these I
managed to get and since the intending bride had been living in Canada she sent the affidavit
which was before a notary public, also two passport photos were required letters from the local
councils 1 saying the intending groom on Uganda had not been married and he is known and a
couple of payments had to be made including payments to the Wakiso District Council.

After I collected the documents I had them assessed for payment of stamp duty it later
surprisingly turned out that the gentleman had tried to do the process on his own but had
abandoned it though the notice had been put up close to three months on consultation with the

9
Order 47 of The Advocates (Remuneration and Taxation of costs) Rules
10
Marriage Act Cap 251
11
S;6 of the Marriage Act Cap 251

8
registrar’s office the marriage was allowed to continue and a date was set on the given date I
went with the lot to the district headquarter and witnessed the marriage.

The Chief Administrative Officer asked the witnesses question to ascertain their identity then
they pronounced the oath and signed the certificate they were then legally married globally.

2.2.5. Trial bundles

I drafted trial bundles which involves all the documentary evidence that a lawyer intends to use
in court during a court proceeding. It is important that you mainly consider the documents
mentioned in the plaint in form of annexure to ensure that only relevant documents are included.
However, there may be important documents that are included in the trial bundle but are not in
the plaint which are important for the trial and it is important to include these as well.

9
2.2.6. Legal opinions
I also wrote legal opinions as regards the cases that were brought to the firm for example in fact
where the claimants relatives were knocked to death by a taxi driver my legal opinion involved
using vicarious liability to get compensation form the employer of the taxi driver and I used
cases like Muwonge v Attorney general this was based on the principle of deep pocket where
the employer has the money to give the affected families2.2.7. Police bonds
Just as court grants bail also police gives bond this is done in line with S.17 of the Criminal
Procedure Act12 while carrying out my internship I had a chance to execute police bonds and
also to renew police bonds these are given if the police arrests someone and will not be able to
produce that person in court within forty eight hours the person has to report back to police in
the intervals that they are given while police carries out investigations or if they fail they risk
detainment once again.
One of the clients I dealt with was given bond and he was not around on the day of extension of
the bond I was thus sent to officer in charge at the Central Police Station to explain his
circumstances and have the bond extended this is done on the release on bond police form 18
under S; 17 of the Criminal Procedure Act13.
After presentation of the facts to the officer in charge he told me to talk to the claimants and he
would extend it if they accepted luckily enough they did accept and the bond was extended, this
was on the basis that our client was looking for money to pay the claimants who he had promised
to pay on that particular day.
On another incident a client was detained at the police station on Luwum street on a charge of
inciting violence, I was sent there and the client’s statement was taken and the statement of the
KCCA officials who had arrested him.

12
Criminal procedure act Capp 116
13
S;17 of the Criminal Procedure Act Cap

10
He was released on police bond and he was told to return in two days time, I went back with him
and the police had established that the problem had arisen from the stage operators who had
given the fellow drivers money which was less by 15000/=(fifteen thousand shillings) and they
were demanding accountability, he was discharged and cautioned not to stay in areas where
chaos was happening.
2.2.7. Research

I also carried research on various aspects these included among others how to set aside an
exparte judgment which I found in the civil procedure rules and the case law, I was also tasked
with researching about civil marriages where I discovered there are other requirements that are
required apart from those in the Marriage Act14.
2.2.8. Reading cases
I was also tasked with reading cases for instance I was tasked with reading cases regarding the
setting aside of an Exparte judgment I was given the task of reading cases such as Bigways
Construction Company Ltd vs. Trentyre (U) Ltd15.,Banco Arabe Espanol v Bank of
Uganda16,Godfrey Magezi & Anor v Sudhir Rupaleria17,T.M.K V Jack Busingye & 2
others18them and was tasked with comparing them with the facts that we heard before us which
were that the client had been in Kasese where insurgencies erupted and the counsel, my host
supervisor, was bed ridden at the same time these in my opinion had the necessary facts to
support the stay of execution of the ex parte judgment and were included in the notice of motion
to stay execution.
2.2.9 Going to police stations
I was also tasked with going too police stations many a time ii was sent to CPS to coordinate
meetings between our client and the claimants the client was in the car selling business and sold
people cars but did not get them the logbooks it turned out he had not completed the payments of
the cars from where he had bought them some people asked for a refund which he did by giving
them postdated checks

14
Marriage Act Cap 251
15
HCT 00.CC.MA.0832-2005
16
[1999]2 EA 22.
17
Civil App 10 of 2002.
18
[ 1992- 1993 ] H.C.B 157.

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I was also sent to Kibuli Land Police Protection Unit here a client was sold land only later for a
real owner to turn up with the genuine title the vendor accepted too return the money but she had
refused after some time I was sent to the land Protection unit so that she can be arrested and
charged even return the money, I saw the deputy commandant who told me to put the facts on an
official headed paper of the firm so he can recall the file which I did.

2.3. New knowledge and skills acquired

During my internship I managed to acquire new skills through activities I carried these among
others include though are not limited to drafting of bill of costs and other legal documents the
conduct in court and general conduct of lawyers relationship with both the staff and clients got
exposed to the practical aspect of law among other skills which are detailed below;

2.3.1. Bill of costs

I also learnt how to draft a bill of costs, using the Advocate’s (Remuneration and Taxation of
costs) Rules as a guideline of how to compute the lawyer’s fees which include instruction fees,
filing fees, transport fees as well as fees for filing other court documents this is drawn by the
lawyer and given to the party that is supposed to foot the bills, during my internship I was tasked
with drawing bills of costs I was tasked with calling the client who had invested in the suit and
the bill of costs was to be taken to court so court can use its discretion to award the costs to the
winning party I called the client and was given the details and I drew the bill of costs which I
learnt and added to my skills learnt.

2.3.2. Civil marriages

I leant the process of carrying out a civil marriage and this include putting up the notice of
marriage and this was put up after the parties fulfilled the required that are set out in the
Marriage Act which among other include the swearing of the affidavits that they have never been
married before in addition to LC letters introducing them to the authorities the information of the
parties t the marriage and the information of the witnesses, these should be taken to the CAO the

12
CAO is the registrar of the district the marriage or notice has to be pinned up at the notice board
and after the period has expired the parties can then got to the CAO’s office and be married they
are issued with a marriage certificate and they then have a valid marriage.

I managed to learn the process and too widen the scope of my learning the bride was living in
Canada thus the affidavit was sworn before a notary public of Canada

2.3.3. Legal opinions

I also learnt to write legal opinion unlike the theoretical facts given in class these facts given
seemed to be a lot clearer and I had the option of calling the clients for clarity this made it easy
to pick out the legal issues from the facts and writing a good legal opinion.

Writing legal opinion entails reading the facts in the file than calling the client for clarity then
picking out the legal aspects and writing out a legal opinion first and foremost I learnt that one
must first figure out a clear line of thought in which to approach the facts then write out a good
legal opinion for example I was presented with facts where the husbands of the clients were
knocked to death by a taxi driver and the families were now suffering financially as the people
who were killed were the bread winners the driver had already been arrested so he could not
provide any substantial financing for the families.

Presented with this fact I had to call and inquire whether the taxi belonged to the driver or he was
being employed by someone on getting the information that the owner of the taxi indeed had
several other taxis and commercial vehicles I knew my opinion had to fall within vicarious
liability then I sought to find the authorities that made the employer culpable.

2.3.4. Court Proceedings and Mediation Proceedings

I was also keen and appreciated the difference in the procedures used in the chief magistrate
court and in commercial court during mediations. For example in the chief magistrates court
stringent procedures are followed and in most case the lawyers do most of the deliberations. The

13
parties to the case only speak when they are asked to speak and the decision of the magistrate is
binding on all parties.

In mediations however, there is no stringent procedure put in place and in most cases the court
follows a procedure that both parties consider to be favorable for them. Despite the fact that the
client`s lawyers attend the sessions, in most cases the parties to the suit do most of the
deliberations.

The decision of the mediator is not binding on both parties for example in one of the mediation
proceeding I went for the parties went ahead and got consent judgment.

2.4. Relationship with other staff

Relationship with other staff was professional and very good because first of all the members
were so supportive, hospitable and helpful during my entire stay at KM advocates and associates
and they helped me learn a lot I managed to have a fruitful lecture from one of the partners who
had been elected to the International Criminal Court and he gave me good insight on how I can
apply my international law this helped me see the use of the subject more clearly even if you are
not practicing in an international court and among these include consultancy when it comes to
companies that are going to operate globally, giving lectures, writing books, working in
embassies among other things.

Among the staff were also those who were going to sit for their entry to the Law Development
Center so they can pursue their diploma in law bar course they included me in their discussion
and this in one way or another helped me build my confidence in regard to the program and
realize the effort I need to put.

The relationship in my humble opinion was good and fruitful and this helped me learn even
more.

2.5. Most enjoyed things and why

2.5.1. Court sessions

I enjoyed court sessions these were particularly good because I got the chance to see the lawyers
battling in court it did look easy but in my humble opinion it was all about the lawyer that had

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prepared well, it was also funny when lawyers made funny mistakes which the judges would
point out like the documents at one time had a date of typing that was after the filing which
showed the documents had been filed even before they were typed.

Another aspect that caught my attention was the respect the lawyers gave to the judge when at te
law firms my encounters with lawyers left me knowing them to be extremely pompous people
however in front of the judge they had to be humble and also dress well while at commercial
court those who were not properly dressed in robs were sent out by the judge.

2.5.2. Interaction with Lawyers

I also enjoyed interacting with lawyers during my internship I managed to meet several
advocates those who seemed friendly I asked them for any advice they could give me and if the
bar course was hard as regards the bar course they all said it was hard and needed a lot of effort
some even went ahead to give me advice to go and do it from other east African countries since
there I had a better chance on the advice I was given a lot but all in all the point I picked out was
to work hard prepare well and be honest.

2.5.3. Assignments
I enjoyed the assignments ii was given tis made me feel part of the firm these included even
aspects outside the field of law for example repair of the computers which am good at I was also
the one who over saw the partitioning of the office I was also given the money to repair the
printers and many other assignments.

2.5.4. Incorporation of Companies

I also enjoyed the process of company registration I managed to incorporate some companies on
my own I also enjoyed this process because I can accomplish it on my own.

2.5.5. Mediation proceedings

The internee very much enjoyed the mediation proceedings because she was able to appreciate
the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution which inn my opinion is a revolutionary

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exercise that will enhance reconciliation and also help save the money that clients would have
spent if they continued to court.
2.6 Problems experienced and how they were handled.
At the beginning of the training, the lawyers were reluctant to give me tasks to carry-out because
they felt. The internee did not have enough theoretical knowledge to enable me take on the
practical tasks.

I started asking if I could help the staff with their work this helped them realize what is could do
and I was able to get assignments of my own if I did not know I asked to be taught.

I also had a big problem in using the laws of Uganda, the red and blue volumes as well as the
case indexes and how to use the advocate’s (remuneration and taxation of costs) rules to
calculate the bill of costs but one of the lawyers explained to us how to use them so it became
easy.

I experienced also the problem of various institutions where people asked for bribes to complete
a task, I would find alternative ways or call my host supervisor sometimes we would have no
option.

2.7. Major benefits derived from field attachment exercise on the side of the student.
2.7.1. New knowledge and practical experiences

I acquired new knowledge and practical experiences during the internship program. For example
I learnt that in court one has to be prepared well so that when in court courts time is not wasted I
also learnt practical skills like drafting affidavits, writing demand notices and intention to sue
notices also MOUs and AOAs among others, also skills like printing on headed paper..

2.7.2. Improved problem solving

I acquired the skill off problem solving sometimes the cases do not need to continue to court but
as a firm we had to handle them and the parties come terms for example I was given a list of
people who had children but had never provided any assistance to the ladies I was tasked with
calling them and convincing them to take up responsibility and if they refused I would then draft

16
a demand notice and an intention to sue, they were eight gentlemen but three accepted after they
came to the firm and sat down with the mothers and they all said their problems. This improved
my skill in problem solving where I learnt to listen to both sides and strike a consensus.
2.7.3. Relations with different categories of people
I also had chance to meet different kinds of people I managed to interact with many kinds of
lawyers, property consultants at CPS I managed to make acquaintance with many high ranking
officers for example I managed to meet Andrew Felix Kaweesi the Kampala Metropolitan
Commander and several other high ranking officers at CPS and also meet many other people

2.7.4. Exposure to the demands and challenges of the work environment.

The training helped me to gain exposure to the demands and challenges of the workplace. I learnt
that in all or any kind of work I do time is of the essence, I also learnt that it is important to
respect my seniors as well as her colleagues at workplace. And to appreciate the importance of
team work since in most cases it is easier to do certain things collectively.

2.7.5. Opportunity to work with potential employers.

I got the opportunity to meet potential employers, my host supervisor asked me to come and
work with him after my final year and I also managed to secure myself a clerkship position at
Nangwala Rezida Co. Advocates.

2.7.6. Improved appreciation of the legal profession and ethics

The internship program has also helped me to have improved appreciation of the profession and
therefore better work ethics which is paramount for everyone in the legal profession.

This starts right from the dress code, the way one interacts with others and extends to how the
lawyer is supposed to handle clients and clients’ cases.

2.8. Strengths and Weaknesses

The internship program helps the law student see the practical bit of law which is very important
also the eight weeks that I have done my internship I seem too have learnt a lot more about law
than I will ever learn in theory this has made me have a better perspective of the degree am

17
pursuing, the concepts look a lot clearer for example I sat in a business association class and
completed it without knowing how a certificate of incorporation looked like.
However the program has some weaknesses for example it cannot be properly evaluated since
everyone works in a different environment the assessment of host supervisors cannot be
conclusive as every supervisor has a different expectation of their intern.
Also the program should be started a lot earlier as its benefits are useful to all law students.

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Recommendations
After conducting the internship training, the internee came up with the following
recommendations to the; (1) the university, (2) the organization of placement and (3) to the
future internees.

3.1.1 TO THE UNIVERSITY

The internship program should be started a lot earlier as every law student needs it also the
marking scheme should dwell more on the practical rather than the theoretical bit.

The university should put in place an effective communication program that will include the host
supervisors, students and the lecturers of the university and other stake holders like the parents or
sponsors.

The program should also continue for the students that are willing to continue and the university
should provide onsite supervision

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3.1.2 TO THE ORGANIZATION OF PLACEMENT
It should be made part of the organization policies to get interns to work with the organization as
well though the interns are not employees they should be given some facilitation since they also
are part of the people doing work for the firm.

The interns should also be given access to the firm facilities in doing their academic work like
law reports statutes among others.

The security of the firm should also be improved I lost bot my laptop and phone while at my
organization of placement to a thief who claimed to be a client a system should be put into place
where the details of people who access the firm are recorded or the reception should be put in
such a way that property of people is not accessed.

3.1.3 TO THE FUTURE INTERNEES.

To be open minded and ready to learn also to be flexible since it is through the work one is given that they
learn.

It is also important to get a place of internship where many assignments will be given to you otherwise
some the interns are not give anything too doo since there are employees for everything.

3.2 CONCLUSION
In conclusion the internship program has been very enlightening to be I have managed to learn a
lot and to put into practice what I have studied in theory this has also helped me to choose the
path in law I would want to take I have found a passion in practicing criminal law since it is
unlike other branches of law touching the real nature of humanity. The justice system
unfortunately just like in may other jurisdiction treats you better if you are rich and guilty than
if you poor and innocent if I attain my intention of practicing criminal law perhaps this can
change.

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REFERENCES

1. Case law
2. Text books
3. Consultation with Mr. Kikomeko Muhammad on the use of case indexes and laws of
Uganda.
4. Consultation with Mr. Kikomeko Muhammad on drafting of trial bundles
5. Consultation with Mr. Kikomeko Muhammad on writing of legal opinions.
6. Consultation with other staff members
7. Statutes
8. Internet material
9. Verbal interactions with various people

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APPENDIX I:
FIELDWORK WORKSHEET / DAIRY
DATE ACTIVITY
Week 1 Orientation and printing work
Visit to Wakiso district headquarters and
drafting memorandum and articles of
association
Drafted an affidavit and reserved at URSB
Went at KCCA the physical planning office
to check on a caveat on land
Wrote a legal opinion inn regard to
vicarious liability
Week 2 Returned to KCCA as regard the caveat
Drafted a bill of costs, picked a reservation
and paid the stamp duty, also took MOUs
and AOA
Took documents to URSB for assessment
paid the requirements of civil marriage
Took documents to URSB, paid two
hundred Uganda shillings for celebration of
a civil marriage.
Went to Wakiso District Headquarters and
deposited the documents for notice of
marriage.
LESSONS LEARNT
Learnt how the law firm operates
Learnt the art of drafting without over
reliance on precedents
Introduced to the process of reserving a
name for a company
In the process learnt the importance of the
title left at the registrars’ office
Saw practicability of my tort theoretical
knowledge
Caveats have to be assessed for payment
of stamp duty as well
This is a document that the lawyer gives
to clients for accountability
Engaged people going to sit for pre entry
of the bar course at the law development
center
Requirements of a civil marriage include
some which are not in the marriage act
A notary public can notarize documents
used in another country
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Week 3 Went to URSB to pick reservations, got a
reference letter from police at kisubi and
was sent to KCCA
Went to Kibuli Land police Protection Unit
Returned too Kibuli land Police protection
Unit
Went to the KCCA legal department to
check on a file KCCA had accepted to
compensate someone.
Went too Wakiso district headquarters saw
the celebration of the civil marriage
Week 4 Took company forms to URSB for
assessment and approval.
Reported with a client to CPS to renew his
bond it was renewed.
Went to Nabweru Magistrates court, went
too KCCA physical planning office also
went to URSB
Went and served matovu property
consultant with an intention to sue, also
seed an employee of East Africa
Community Affairs with and intention to
sue and demand notice
Went to URSB also to URA branch at DTB
Learnt how to apply for a tax
identification number online
This unit protects land fraud and handles
cases relating to land.
To institute a land complaint it is done by
the office of the commandant who recalls
thee file to be sent to that unit then
investigations begin.
When a government vehicle injures you
the organization can compensate you.
Managed to see the certificate of marriage
issued by the CAO
Once approval is done one then waits for
the company to be incorporated
Learnt the process of renewing a bond.
Changing a lawyer is a reason that is good
enough to have a case adjourned.
Revised and saw the applicability of
maintenance of a child.
Learnt how to do my own land
assessments online.
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Week 5 Went to URA headquarters at Nakawa for a
log book application, went to DTB
Wrote a legal opinion in regard to stay the
execution of an exparte judgment made
assessments at commercial court for plaints.
Went to high court and made assessments
also got a hearing date for the stay of
execution
Went to commercial court for a hearing
took a letter too opportunity bank went
URSB
Picked up a certificate of incorporation for
Heartbeat Health Care
Week 6 Went to URSB, DTB and also prepared
company forms
Went to CPS in a bid to extend bond of a
client which was refused
Attended a meeting between the client and
the claimants with the CID Kampala
Metropolitan police
Went to URSB and picked HEARTBEAT
HEALTH CARE which had been
incorporated
Escorted a client who was being transferred
from CPS to Jinja road police
If the registered owner of a car cannot be
found then they have to go to court and
swear and affidavit also put the advert in
the news for a fortnight.
Researched cases for setting aside an
exparte judgment.
Learnt the process of opening up a case
Attended court and learnt to prepare trial
bundles
Saw a certificate of incorporation
The police can deny bond of a suspect if it
has reason to believe he may not report
back.
Learnt the process at police before a
suspect is taken to court
Saw the certificate of incorporation and
successfully incorporated a company.
Accused can be tried both I the civil and
criminal aspect
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Week 7 Delivered a consent judgment to Kasirye
Byaruhanga Co advocates, typed an invoice
to clients
Went to URSB, picked title from kasirye
Byaruhanga company advocates
Went to commercial court to pick the notice
of motion and serve it.also went to the
police post at Luwum street to execute a
bond for clients who had been detained.
Drafted a letter to the state attorney that
some of the defendants were negotiating
with the claimants.
Week 8 It was Eid El Fitr the firm did not open
Was tasked with finding the process to
follow when one loses a certificate off title,
wrote a letter asking court to extend bond
Drafted a letter responding to an intention
to sue also drafted a letter where a wife was
requesting for maintenance
Took a reply to Katutntu and company
advocates for an intention to sue also served
Lwera, Lwenyaga and company advocates
with the notice of motion.
Went to Kitinda in Kampala to inspect a
plot of land also went to URA at Nakawa to
have the car inspected and the owner
interviewed
When one wants there case heard during
court recess they get a certificate of
urgency
When one files a notice of motion the
registrar can reject it if it has defects
When people are arrested they have to
make statements even if they are to be
released
Learn the process carried out when a
certificate of title is lost
Learnt how to reply to a demand notice
and an intention to sue
Met lawyers who gave me advice on how
to succeed
When applying for a log book he car has
to be inspected and the person who
intends to have it put in his names has to
be interviewed.
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