Hon. Lady Justice Susan Okalany Inspires Young Lawyers at KIU Public

KIU, Main Campus - The Department of Clinical Legal Education (CLE) at Kampala International University’s School of Law brought together students, faculty, and legal practitioners for an indulging public lecture on “Service and Justice in a Changing World: The Evolving Role of Young Lawyers in International Criminal Law.”

Held on Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at the Main Campus Moot Court, the event featured Hon. Lady Justice Susan Okalany, Trial Judge and Deputy Head of the International Crimes Division of the High Court of Uganda, as keynote speaker.

Justice Okalany spoke passionately about the transformative role of young lawyers in shaping international criminal law. “Your generation is uniquely built to meet the demands of modern International Criminal Law,” she said. “The modern international criminal lawyer is more than just a litigator. You are an innovator, activist, ethical guardian, and an interdisciplinary collaborator.”

She emphasized the importance of embracing technology, understanding forensic evidence, and collaborating across disciplines. “In practice, you find yourself in a big mess if you do not understand the work of other practitioners that help the courts reach fair decisions,” she cautioned, urging students to bridge gaps between law and other disciplines.

Prof. Regina Ejemot-Nwadiaro, KIU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovations, Consultancy, and Extensions (RICE), encouraged students to connect their academic work with real-world practice. “What I want to do today is to encourage you, the students in particular, to engage actively in this public lecture. Take lessons and put them into practice for your future endeavours,” she said.

Adding to the momentum, Dr. Olawunmi Opeyemi Obisesan, Head of the CLE Department, highlighted the lecture’s significance for student development:

“This platform is not just about listening. It is about preparing you to be bold contributors to justice. We want our students to leave here knowing that they are part of a global conversation on fairness, humanity, and accountability.”

Assoc. Prof. Adedoyin Olusegun Akinsulure, Associate Dean and Teaching & Learning Coordinator, echoed the call for active engagement:

“Young lawyers must see themselves as custodians of justice in a rapidly changing world. The skills you acquire here; critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and collaboration are the very tools that will define your careers.”

The lecture also touched on the challenges young lawyers face, including high competition and the pressure to prove themselves early. Justice Okalany urged students to embrace resilience, study a second language, and join professional associations to strengthen their global outlook.

Her closing words resonated deeply: “Justice is not a destination. It is an ongoing act of service. As young lawyers, you are not just inheriting the law. You are challenging, interpreting, and reforming it for a world that needs it more than ever.”

Followed by an engaging interaction session, the event left students inspired, with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility to shape the future of international justice.