The Young Lawyers Symposium 2024, held from May 27th to 28th 2024 at the Fairway Hotel, marked a significant event in the legal calendar, bringing together aspiring legal professionals and seasoned practitioners for an enriching exchange of ideas and experiences. This annual symposium, a cornerstone event for young lawyers, aims to foster professional growth, networking, and the continuous development of legal expertise.
Justice Geoffrey Kirabwire, Justice of the Court of Appeal, started the symposium with an inspiring keynote address.
Under the theme “Advocacy and Excellence in Court – A Judge’s Perspective,” Justice Kiryabwire emphasised the paramount importance of legal ethics. He advised young lawyers to focus on being proficient in the law rather than relying on personal connections within the judiciary. He further encouraged specialisation in specific areas of law and the need to adapt to the evolving legal landscape. As the Master of Ceremonies, I had the honour of facilitating the proceedings, ensuring a seamless flow of discussions and interactions. On the first day, participants enjoyed engaging dialogues and insightful exchanges.
The second day featured a keynote speech by James Ssebugenyi, a Partner at S & L Advocates, titled “A Lawyer’s Toolbox – The Essentials of a Market Savvy Practitioner.” Mr. Ssebugenyi provided invaluable insights into the skills and tools necessary for young lawyers to thrive in a competitive market. He stressed the importance of being tech-savvy, staying abreast of legal technology trends, and being adaptable to changing legal landscapes and regulations. Ms. Deepa Verma, a Partner at Verma & Partners, shared her perspective on the importance of choosing the right partner for a law firm. She highlighted that the alignment of partners with the firm’s mission and values is crucial to its success.
The symposium concluded with an engaging panel discussion on sustainable legal practice. Mr Maxim Mutabingwa of Mutabingwa & Co. Advocates emphasised the principles of honesty and integrity as the bedrock of a trustworthy legal profession. He urged young lawyers to uphold these values in their practice.
A highlight of the symposium was a group photo featuring the president of the Uganda Law Society, the CEO, and other distinguished panelists alongside enthusiastic young lawyers. This image symbolises the unity and shared commitment to advancing the legal profession in Uganda.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the symposium, including the organisers and all attendees. I look forward to more enriching experiences and invite everyone to be a part of this journey.
For more information, kindly visit:
Written by Adv. Brownie Ebal
Edited by Kasi Editorial Services
The Female Founders Initiative Global (FFIG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to economically empowering women worldwide, organized the transformative SHEEO Leadership Bootcamp in Doha, Qatar. This three-day event, held from May 9th to 11th 2024, was designed to equip female founders with the skills, resources, and opportunities necessary to excel in global markets.
The boot camp offered an immersive experience with a dynamic array of activities. From engaging workshops and insightful panel discussions to interactive sessions and peer-to-peer mentoring, participants, myself included, gained exposure to a wealth of expertise and practical insights. These activities aimed to enhance our leadership skills and equip us with innovative entrepreneurial strategies.
5 Key takeaways from the leadership boot camp included:
1. Ensure you invest in your executive presence. Know how to dress, walk and talk. Be emotionally intelligent so you can learn when to say certain issues. Timing is key in getting what you want. First impressions matter and you are judged by your appearance 55% of the time.
2. For one to run a successful business, you need to set up systems in place and delegate tasks. Ensure you set boundaries with your employees to safe guard your ethics. As CEOs/ founders, your set boundaries will determine how people will treat you.
3. The skills you used to start your business are not the same skills needed to sustain it and grow it. For a business to grow, you need to have accurate records and you can only be sure of your finances by constantly engaging with the accounting team.
4. For your business to grow, you need to network endlessly. You are the Chief Marketing Officer of your business. Keep investing in your business and marketing it daily.
5. No one starts a business to remain a start-up forever, therefore if you are not growing, you need to do deep introspection and change how you are running your business.
I enjoyed the Gala dinner, a prestigious event featuring the First Lady of Iceland, Eliza Reed, as the Guest of Honour. She highlighted on the need for women leaders to create their own opportunities, she said:
“When you are not invited to the table, create your own. Be so loud that they cannot ignore you.”
This Gala dinner celebrated the achievements of female leaders and provided an excellent opportunity to network with key figures in female entrepreneurship. As part of team building, we had the chance to partake in a desert safari with the First Lady of Iceland and other attendees. This unique experience provided a relaxed setting for us to connect and share our insights, further enriching the bootcamp experience.
The SHEEO Leadership Bootcamp was a prestigious gathering that highlighted key leadership figures and provided unparalleled networking opportunities with prominent individuals in the field of female entrepreneurship. It underscored Female Future Initiative Global’s commitment to empowering women and fostering a global community of transformative female leaders.
For further information about FFIG, kindly visit their website:
https://www.femalefoundersinitiative.com/
BecomingGolden 
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