Peace Athocon, the State Attorney at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, has urged the new advocates to prioritize good reputation and development, citing financial misconduct, especially failure to account for clients’ money, as a common pitfall in the profession.

Athoco, who was speaking on behalf of the Secretary of the Uganda Law Council, made this call on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Court of Appeal Conference Hall during the enrollment ceremony of 197 new advocates.

Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu, who presided over the event, encouraged the new advocates to create a strong culture of professionalism, emphasizing its significance and highlighting the value of timekeeping.

She urged them to embrace continuous learning, seek mentorship, and retain humility.

“Embrace continuous learning, seek mentorship, and maintain humility,” Athoco said.

She also assured them of the Law Council’s dedication to supporting them in their legal journey.

The president of the Uganda Law Society, Bernard Oundo, urged the new advocates to maintain hope and remain committed to the vision they set when they commenced their legal studies.

“Success might mean different things to different people; true fulfillment comes from hard work, faith, integrity, and resilience,” Oundo stated.

Additionally, Oundo highlighted that reputation in the legal profession is built gradually through daily choices, such as punctuality, meeting deadlines, and maintaining professionalism.

He counseled the advocates to decide what values they want to be known for, as these values will define their legal careers.