On December 6, 2024, the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) celebrated a momentous occasion with its 13^th graduation ceremony. Presided over by the Honorable Minister of Education and ILPD Chancellor, Joseph Nsengimana, the event saw 527 graduates proudly receive their diplomas. Among them, 496 completed the rigorous program leading to the Diploma in Legal Practice (DLP), representing eight nationalities, namely Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Additionally, 31 graduates from Rwanda completed the pioneering Diploma in Child Justice, a program tailored for leaders from diverse professional backgrounds.

This year’s graduation is unprecedented for two key reasons. It celebrated the first cohort of graduates from the Diploma in Child Justice, a program that underscores ILPD’s commitment to addressing the unique needs of children within the justice system. Furthermore, the institute introduced a new practice of graduating some DLP students in the same academic year of their study, a trend it intends to sustain in future academic cycles.

The Rector of ILPD, Dr. Aimé Muyoboke Karimunda in his address, highlighted the essence of judgment and its role in the legal profession. Drawing inspiration from Philip K. Howard’s book The Death of Common Sense: How Law is Suffocating America, he emphasized, “Law by itself cannot think. That is why it is entrusted to humans in order for them to take responsibility for its interpretation. Principles should allow us to think and reach judgments that fit the situation.” He encouraged graduates to apply these principles in their practice to deliver quality and timely justice.

Honorable Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Minister of Justice, graced the event as the guest of honor and shared invaluable practical advice to guide graduates in transitioning smoothly into their legal careers. He urged them to embrace continuous learning, build practical and soft skills, and maintain high ethical standards. The Minister also stressed the importance of adapting to technological advancements brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “The legal profession must respond to the pressures of technological change. To argue otherwise is to consign oneself to irrelevance,” he remarked, encouraging graduates to be tech-savvy and innovative.

Lilian Kayigirwa, representing the DLP graduates, spoke passionately about the significance of their achievement. “Today, we celebrate reaching this significant milestone in our journey to becoming advocates, investigators, prosecutors, and judges, dedicated to making our country proud,” she said.

Murebwayire Shafiga, speaking on behalf of the Diploma in Child Justice cohort, shared insights into the program’s impact. “We have thoroughly learned about child-friendly justice. We studied how children can be victims of crimes or find themselves in conflict with the law. From now on, we will approach cases with an understanding of their mindset and family conditions.”

The 13^th graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone, bringing the total number of Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice holders to 4,024 graduates from 17 African countries. Additionally, 170 graduates have successfully completed six specialized programs, while the Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting has produced 81 graduates.