LDC’s second intake sparks relief among law graduates
For years, law graduates have faced an uphill battle in gaining admission to LDC, which is the only institution authorized to offer the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice—a mandatory qualification for anyone hoping to become an advocate in Uganda.
As law students across Uganda juggle the excitement of completing their undergraduate studies with the pressure of securing a place at the Law Development Centre (LDC), the recent announcement of a second intake for the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice has brought a wave of relief to many.
The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, revealed that the additional intake will take place in January 2025, a decision set to address the rising demand for legal training amidst limited spots at the institution.
For years, law graduates have faced an uphill battle in gaining admission to LDC, which is the only institution authorized to offer the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice—a mandatory qualification for anyone hoping to become an advocate in Uganda.
The centre’s capacity issues have left thousands of students in limbo, waiting to complete this essential phase of their legal education.
“I felt like my dreams were slipping through my fingers when I didn’t make it into the September intake,” says Ruth Nabunya, a law graduate from Makerere University. “The news about the second intake gives me hope. I’ve been anxious about losing a year, but now I feel like I have a real chance to get on track with my career.”
Nabunya’s sentiment is echoed by many of her peers, as the number of applicants for the LDC’s Bar Course has grown exponentially over the years. In the most recent cycle, over 2,600 students applied for the September 2024 intake, but only 1,260 were admitted, leaving more than half without a seat.
“I was crushed when I didn’t get into the first intake,” recalls Jackson Odoi, another recent graduate. “I started thinking about alternatives, even though none of them would give me the qualifications I need to practice law. This January intake means everything to those of us who were left out.”
The bottleneck at LDC is a result of Uganda’s expanding legal education landscape. As more universities offer law degrees, the number of graduates vying for a spot at LDC has skyrocketed.
The Attorney General acknowledged this issue during a parliamentary session, explaining that the centre’s capacity is no longer sufficient to meet the sector’s demands. Although a second intake has been approved, the long-term challenge of expanding LDC’s facilities and resources remains.
“The competition is getting fiercer every year,” says Sarah Kagoya, a graduate from Uganda Christian University. “It’s no longer enough to just pass your exams; now you have to excel to even be considered for LDC. We’ve been hearing rumors about an additional intake, but it’s such a relief to finally have confirmation. It’s not just about the diploma—it’s about our futures.”
For many law graduates, the postgraduate diploma is more than just a qualification; it’s a lifeline to the career they’ve worked towards for years. Without it, practicing law in Uganda remains out of reach. The stakes are high, and students are acutely aware of the pressure.
“I honestly thought I would have to wait another year before I could even start my training,” says James Lwanga, a graduate from IUIU. “When you see how many people are fighting for spots at LDC, it’s easy to feel hopeless. This second intake is like a second chance for so many of us.”
Some students have been critical of the situation, questioning why the government hasn’t expanded LDC’s capacity sooner. With Uganda’s legal sector growing and the need for qualified lawyers rising, the mismatch between demand and supply seems increasingly problematic.
“I don’t understand why it took this long to address the problem,” says Miriam Nakato, a law graduate from Makerere University. “We’ve known for years that the number of law graduates is outpacing the number of available slots at LDC. It’s frustrating because it feels like our futures are being held back by a lack of planning.”
The Attorney General reassured Parliament that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, is working on solutions to the capacity issue. However, students like Nakato worry that this may only be a temporary fix.
“While the second intake is a step in the right direction, we need long-term solutions,” Nakato adds. “It’s not just about us right now; it’s about the future law graduates who will face the same problem unless something changes.”
As the January 2025 intake approaches, students are preparing for the next chapter of their legal careers. For many, it’s not just about securing a seat at LDC; it’s about securing their future in Uganda’s legal profession.
The upcoming intake offers hope to the 1,463 students who were left out in September, but the broader question of how to accommodate the growing number of law graduates in Uganda remains. For now, the announcement has provided a much-needed reprieve for aspiring advocates who are eager to begin their journey toward legal practice.
With their futures now looking a bit brighter, many students are taking a moment to breathe a sigh of relief. As Nabunya puts it, “It feels like the door to my dreams has opened just a little wider.”
