Makerere Law Lecturer, Robert Kirunda, appointed to the Permanent Court of Arbitration
Experts suggest that Kirunda’s presence on the PCA could encourage more African participation in international arbitration and may lead to greater sensitivity to regional legal norms within PCA‑administered proceedings.
Robert Kirunda, a senior lecturer in international law at Makerere Law School, has been appointed a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague.
The appointment, confirmed by the PCA’s Governing Council on 28 September, makes Kirunda only the second Ugandan in history to sit on the world‑renowned arbitral institution.
Kirunda, who has taught at Makerere University for more than a decade and is renowned for his scholarship on treaty law, human rights, and investment dispute resolution, will serve a four‑year term representing the African Group of Nations.
His selection follows a rigorous nomination process that considered his academic credentials, previous consultancy work with the United Nations, and extensive experience advising governments on cross‑border disputes.
“It is a profound honour to join the Permanent Court of Arbitration, an institution that has been at the forefront of peaceful dispute settlement since 1899,” Kirunda said in a statement.
“I look forward to contributing Uganda’s perspective to the Court’s work and to strengthening the rule of law in international relations.”
A Milestone for Uganda
The first Ugandan to sit on the PCA was Justice Joseph K. Nuwagaba, who served as a member from 2008 to 2012. Kirunda’s appointment is being hailed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a “significant diplomatic achievement” that underscores Uganda’s growing expertise in international law and its commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.
“Having a distinguished Ugandan scholar on the PCA bench enhances our nation’s visibility on the global stage and signals the depth of legal talent we nurture at home,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs — Olivia Nankya.
“We anticipate that Professor Kirunda’s contributions will not only benefit the Court but also inspire a new generation of Ugandan lawyers to engage in international arbitration.”
About the Permanent Court of Arbitration
Founded by the 1899 Hague Convention, the PCA is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. Though its name includes “court,” the PCA does not function as a standing judicial body; instead, it provides a framework for states, intergovernmental organizations, and private parties to resolve disputes through arbitration, conciliation, fact‑finding and other peaceful means.
Over its more than 125‑year history, the PCA has administered hundreds of cases ranging from territorial disputes and maritime boundaries to investment treaty arbitrations and environmental conflicts.
Today, it operates as a “modern, multi‑faceted arbitral institution,” adapting its procedures to meet the evolving needs of the international community—particularly in areas such as cyber‑security, climate change, and infrastructure development.
Kirunda’s Role and Prospects
As a member of the PCA, Kirunda will be eligible to sit on arbitral tribunals that the Court administers, as well as to contribute to its policy‑making bodies. He will also serve on the PCA’s Advisory Committee on Arbitrators, helping to vet and recommend experts for future panels.
Regional Impact
The appointment arrives at a time when African states are seeking stronger mechanisms for resolving cross‑border commercial and investment disputes, especially in the wake of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) becoming fully operational.
Experts suggest that Kirunda’s presence on the PCA could encourage more African participation in international arbitration and may lead to greater sensitivity to regional legal norms within PCA‑administered proceedings.
Looking Ahead
Kirunda will assume his duties later this month, after a brief orientation in The Hague. He will split his time between Kampala, where he continues to teach and supervise graduate research, and The Hague, where the PCA’s Secretariat is based.
The appointment not only celebrates an individual achievement but also signals Uganda’s rising profile in the field of international law. As the global community grapples with increasingly complex disputes, the inclusion of scholars like Robert Kirunda promises to bring fresh perspectives and a deeper understanding of African legal traditions to the world’s oldest arbitration institution.
