The Former Secretary of the Uganda Law Society, Advocate Isaac Atukunda, has called for reforms in legal education, mentorship and employment to help young lawyers adapt to increasing automation in Uganda’s legal profession.
In a post on his X-handle on Monday, Atukunda said emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital court systems and online registries, could create new opportunities for efficiency but also risk reducing the traditional entry-level jobs through which young advocates gain practical experience.
He noted that tasks such as filing court documents, conducting land and company searches, preparing statutory returns, drafting pleadings and handling routine client matters have traditionally helped young lawyers earn an income while developing the skills needed to advance in the profession.
However, the growing use of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), AI-powered legal tools and online registries is changing how such work is performed, enabling senior lawyers to handle some assignments without relying on junior advocates.
Atukunda said the legal profession must respond to these changes by creating alternative pathways through which newly qualified lawyers can gain experience, earn a living and build sustainable careers.
He proposed that the Law Development Centre (LDC) incorporate artificial intelligence, digital litigation and practical legal technology training into postgraduate legal education to prepare graduates for the changing demands of the profession.
He also urged the Uganda Law Society to conduct annual surveys examining young lawyers’ employment opportunities, remuneration, working conditions and career prospects to guide policies aimed at improving their welfare.
Atukunda further called on law firms to establish paid graduate programmes, structured mentorship arrangements and supervised practical training to ensure young advocates acquire the experience required to become competent legal practitioners.
He said the Law Council should also reform pupillage programmes to guarantee meaningful exposure to technology, advocacy, legal drafting, negotiation and client advisory services.
The former Uganda Law Society secretary proposed that government and private-sector institutions create paid internships and entry-level opportunities in emerging areas such as legal technology, compliance and data protection.
He encouraged young lawyers to embrace AI and other digital tools while strengthening their legal judgment, advocacy, negotiation and client-management skills, which remain essential to professional practice.
Atukunda said technological advancement should not be resisted simply to preserve jobs that may become obsolete, but should be accompanied by deliberate efforts to create new employment and professional development opportunities.
“We must not preserve obsolete jobs merely to create employment, but we must create new pathways for young lawyers to learn, earn and progress,” he said.
He added that the future of Uganda’s legal profession depends on ensuring that technological progress benefits both established practitioners and the next generation of advocates.
Atukunda said coordinated action by legal training institutions, professional bodies, law firms, government and the private sector would help young lawyers adapt to technological change while protecting their welfare and strengthening the profession.
