More Than a Competition: The Journey of Uganda’s IHL Moot Court Winners
The 2025 IHL moot competition tested legal knowledge, advocacy skills, and endurance—but also shaped confidence, character, and perspective. It is an initiative that encourages future humanitarian practitioners and deepens public understanding of the rules of war. In a session held after the competition, the National winners came together to reflect on the journey that led them to the national stage.
Luwaga John Eliane, Lubogo Michelle and Sandra Nakiganda law students at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) represented Uganda in the African International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition in Kenya upon their success in nationals.
“This year’s Competition has been one of the most transformative academic and professional experiences of our legal journey as students of law”, Sandra mentioned during their visit to the ICRC Uganda Delegation Offices in November 2025.
During the competitions, students are asked to negotiate humanitarian access with an armed group, seek permission to visit detainees, or justify decisions as an operational head of delegation. This task requires them not only to argue the law but to apply it with humanity, diplomacy, and practical reasoning.
Despite having no prior knowledge or experience in IHL, the team relied on the library, online resources and guidance from their coach, as well as spending many sleepless nights immersed in IHL textbooks, to prepare. “The books became our inseparable companions,” recalls Eliane. “Commitment to win led us to stay on campus, covering our own accommodation and living expenses during holidays, to perfect their memorials and oral pleadings,” Eliane continued.
(L-R) Kedir Awol Omar, Head of ICRC URB Delegation, Lubogo Michelle, Nakiganda Sandra and Luwaga John Eliane, students at the Uganda Christian University at the ICRC Kampala Delegation Office during their visit to the delegation.
Their commitment paid off. Not only did they win the national final, but they also secured themselves a position at the All-Africa IHL Moot Competition that took place in Nairobi, Kenya. They took home three shields, including the awards for Best Memorial and Best Speaker at the national level and reached the semi-finals stage in Nairobi which they described as an achievement.
As the event ended, it became clear that this Moot Court Competition was more than just an academic contest; it was a laboratory for leadership, ethics and responsibility. The future of humanitarian law is shaped not only by treaties, but also by the convictions of those who interpret and defend them.
