By Andrew Bugembe.
Uganda Christian University (UCU) is hosting the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition for law students from across the country for the 2025. The competition challenges young legal minds to grapple with emerging issues of data protection and privacy in Uganda’s digital era.
The two-day event kicked off on Sunday evening with a welcome dinner at UCU’s Main Campus and will run through Tuesday, featuring preliminary oral rounds, a grand final, and a closing ceremony.
The annual competition is organised by Unwanted Witness, a civil society organization founded in 2012 that champions digital rights, online freedom of expression, and secure digital spaces.
At this year’s welcome dinner, the organisation was represented by Fridah Nalumansi (Lead Researcher for the competition), Allan Ssempala Kigozi (Head of Programs), and Herbert Brennan Kafumbe (Head of Media and Communication), who pledged to ensure the smooth flow of the event.
Opening the dinner, Canon Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, Vice Chancellor of UCU, urged participants to embrace the moot as more than a contest. Drawing from his own youth, he recalled the fierce battles he faced while applying for international scholarships.
“I once competed against thousands of students for a single scholarship,” he said. “It was not easy but it taught me that excellence, preparation, and persistence always open doors. Competition builds character.”
Prof. Mushengyezi challenged students to treat the moot court as a life-shaping platform where resilience and integrity matter as much as winning.
“Don’t merely speak about excellence, live it in your submissions and presentations,” he advised. “What you gain here will go far beyond a trophy. The experience should shape how you defend justice and truth in the real world.”
He further reassured visiting teams that UCU had prepared a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment, underscoring the university’s commitment to nurturing academic talent from across the country.
Echoing his words, Dr. Peter Mutesasira, Dean of the UCU School of Law, congratulated participants for making it to this stage.
“Many universities have been knocked off. Getting here is good enough,” he said, while encouraging teams to embrace the moot as both a challenge and a learning platform.
Unwanted Witness leaders highlighted the broader mission of the competition. Fridah Nalumansi described the moot as transformative:
“There will be a winner, yes, but you all walk away with something valuable. This competition is designed so that it does not leave you unchanged.”
Meanwhile, Allan Ssempala Kigozi cautioned students about the real-world implications of the cases they argue:
“Personal data is collected everywhere by banks, mobile money agents, and apps and often misused. Excellence, preparation, and professionalism will set you apart in this moot.”
The preliminary rounds will be held Monday, with finalists set to face off on Tuesday before the winners are crowned.
The victorious team will walk away with 1,500 (USD) (52,551,900/= UGX) and will earn a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the Privacy Symposium Africa, happening later on this year, in Lagos, Nigeria. The award not only brings financial reward but also provides exposure to continental experts and networking opportunities.
