Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC)

PILAC Objectives

1. To enhance Public Interest Lawyering Skills among Law students and Legal Practitioners. 
2. To build the resource and skill capacity of PILAC. 
3. To build strategic partnerships, domestically, regionally and internationally. 
4. To undertake research on Access to Justice and Legal education. 
5. To promote Access to justice, through Public Interest Litigation and provision of Legal Aid service.

Scope of Research Activity

PILAC has specialized in promoting legal education that enhances access to justice and equips law graduates with the skills and interest to service the justice needs of the vulnerable. Among others, PILAC’s research has concentrated on the use of the clinical approach to teach the law and equip students with public interest lawyering skills. 

Ongoing Research

Research is ongoing on the use of the clinical approach in legal education involving student community activities and legal aid services. This is in addition to research on the justice needs of juveniles and those of mother incarcerated with infants. 

Major Outputs

1. Transforming Legal Education by Promoting Experiential Learning and Enahncing Access to Justice for Vulnerable Groups: A Pilot Project (2023), RIF Supported 
2. Transforming Legal Education Through a Pilot Project: Reflections from the Student Beneficiaries. (2024) RIF Supported 
3. Empirical study to examine challenges faced by Juvenile Justice Courts in enhancing access to Justice for Juvenile Offenders
4. Policy Brief on effectiveness of small claims court in enhancing access to justice to the vulnerable people.
5. Freedom of Expression In Uganda hand book
6. I promise this Song is Not about Politics
7. Integrated curriculum on Freedom of Expression for Universities in Uganda
8. Access to Justice for Women incarcerated with Children in Uganda: Flaws and Opportunities for Reform
9. The Effectiveness of Small Claims Court in enhancing Access to Justice to Vulnerable groups
10. With American Bar Association, East African Journal of Peace and Human Rights Volume 27, Number 2 – 2021, special edition on Freedom of Expression.

Partners in Uganda

1. Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF)
2. Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL)
3. Centre for Health Human Rights & Development
4. Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)
5. Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF)
6. Human Rights Centre
7. HURINET-U
8. Legal Action for Persons with Disabilities (LAPD)
9. Legal Aid Project of the Uganda Law Society
10. Legal Aid Clinic of the Law Development Centre
11. Land Equity Movement of Uganda (LEMU)
12. Law Reform Commission
13. The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
14. Platform for Labour Action
15. Public Defender Association of Uganda
16. Refugee Law Project (RLP)
17. Uganda Land Alliance
18. Uganda Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (UGANET)
19. Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity
20. Uganda Human Rights Commission 
21. Amnesty International 
22. Public Defenders Association
23. NGO  Forum
24. Human Rights Democracy Foundation
25. Legal Action For PWDs
26. Uganda Joint Christian Council
27. The African Network For Prevention & Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect
28. Save the Children in Uganda
29. Uganda Media Women’s Association
30. Platform For Labour Action
31. Anti-Corruption Coalition of Uganda
32. The Directorate of Ethics and Integrity
33. Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE)
34. Human Rights Focus Gulu
35. National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU)
36. National Union Of Women With Disabilities
37. National Association of Women’s Organization Of Uganda
38. The Uganda Law Society (ULS)
39. Action for Development
40. International Law Institute
41. Raising Voices
42. The Uganda Red Cross Society
43. Akina Mama Africa
44. African centre for treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims
45. Action Group For Health Human Rights and HIV/AIDS
46. MIFUMI Project 
47. Uganda Child Rights NGO Network 
48. Kituo Cha Katiba 
49. National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) 
50. Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment
51. Muslim Centre for Justice and Law 
52. Centre for the Batwa Minorities
53. Governance and Public Policy Research Center (GPRC)
54. International Governance Alliance
55. Minority Rights Groups International 
56. Centre for Women in Governance
57. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 
58. Greenwatch Uganda
59. Legal Brains Trust (LBT)
60. Chapter four
61. Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER)
62. The Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC)
63. ISIS WICCE Women’s International Cross cultural Exchange
64. Advocates Coalition For Development & Environment (ACODE)
65. Uganda Land Alliance