6th March 2026
Bishop Stuart University has hosted the Justice Kenneth Kakuru Memorial Lecture at its main campus in Kakoba, Mbarara, held at the ZCK Mungonya Library. The event has brought members of the judiciary, academia, civil society, clergy and family members who gathered to reflect on the legacy and impact of Hon. Justice Kenneth Kakuru.
The memorial lecture was organised in partnership with Greenwatch, a leading environmental and governance advocacy organisation committed to promoting justice, accountability and environmental protection, under the theme “For God and My Country.”
Justice Kenneth Kakuru was widely respected for his dedication to constitutionalism, environmental protection and public interest litigation. Through his judicial work and activism, he championed environmental rights, good governance and the protection of public interest, leaving a lasting imprint on Uganda’s legal and environmental space.
Participants at the memorial lecture were welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John F. Mugisha, who emphasized the importance of nurturing legal scholarship and civic responsibility among students and professionals. The opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Samantha Atukunda Kakuru Mwesigwa (daughter of Hon. Justice Kenneth Kakuru), the Executive Director of Greenwatch, who highlighted the continued relevance of Justice Kakuru’s work in defending constitutional governance and environmental justice.
Justice Kakuru also played a significant role in the development of legal education at Bishop Stuart University. He was instrumental in supporting the establishment and growth of the Faculty of Law and he generously donated a High Court judge’s gown to the faculty. His vision was that law students should experience practical legal training in an environment that closely resembles real court proceedings, enabling them to develop confidence and professional competence.
His legacy continues to live on within the university community. Every year during the university’s graduation ceremony, the Justice Kenneth Kakuru Best Performing Law Student Award is presented to the most outstanding student in the Faculty of Law, a recognition supported by his family to honour his commitment to excellence in legal education.
In honour of Justice Kakuru’s environmental advocacy, the event concluded with a tree planting activity under the Kenneth Kakuru Earth Reboot Initiative (KKERI).
