Uganda’s Judiciary Rejects Lawyers’ Bid to Abandon Colonial Courtroom Titles
Uganda’s Law Society has unilaterally banned colonial titles like "My Lord" and the practice of bowing in court, arguing these feudal rituals degrade citizens and perpetuate a failed judicial system. The judiciary has forcefully rejected this directive, asserting its independence and vowing to enforce traditional courtroom decorum. This clash represents a fundamental power struggle over who controls legal culture, pitting a push for decolonization and citizen dignity against institutional authority and established hierarchy. The core takeaway is that symbolic reforms, while powerful, cannot succeed without institutional buy-in, and the battle over language and posture is a proxy for deeper conflicts about power, respect, and the legacy of colonialism in modern governance.








