The report outlines the barriers to gender parity for senior positions in Uganda’s legal profession by analysing trends across different sectors: law schools, private practice, in-house legal teams, public sector institutions and the judiciary.

The report revealed that female representation across the legal profession is positive — with women making up 49 per cent of the profession. The Ugandan public sector had the highest percentage of women lawyers overall (57 per cent), as well as the greatest number of female lawyers in a senior role (62 per cent). 

However, across all sectors, women occupied only 40 per cent of senior roles. There was significant variation across sectors, with the private sector showing 23 per cent of women in senior roles. 

Law firms had the lowest number of women employed at all levels (41 per cent), with them occupying only 23 per cent of senior roles.

These findings echo Australia’s legal profession, where women now make up more than 50 per cent of the legal industry yet hold significantly fewer senior positions than males. 

In Australian law firms, women hold 22 per cent of the most senior positions, marginally less than in Uganda.

In Uganda, the judiciary was composed of 47 per cent women, with 45 per cent holding senior positions. 

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This is in line with Australia, where approximately 33 per cent of judicial officers are women, as of 2021.

“Much has been done to advance women’s equality in Uganda and the data in this report is a positive indication of these efforts,” noted IBA president Sternford Moyo. 

“However, there are still far too many women who are denied a formal education in this jurisdiction, and [are] therefore deprived of the opportunity to progress in their working life and reach their full potential,” said Mr Moyo.  

In Uganda, part-time working in the legal profession is extremely uncommon, potentially barring women lawyers from ascending ranks in the legal profession. Yet, flexible working arrangements are a popular initiative. 

Target setting is a significant initiative in Australia, with firms being urged to implement diversity targets. This is not as common in Uganda and is used across 41 per cent of the legal profession. 

Mr Moyo noted that the report would contribute to their goals of examining whether existing diversity initiatives are helping, and ultimately providing a blueprint for equality in the profession. 

Pheona Nabasa Wall, president of the Uganda Law Society, thanked the IBA for the report, noting that it will inform policymakers and play a role in enriching diversity and gender inclusion programmes in Uganda and the broader East African region. 

“The progress made so far is commendable, but much work remains to be done and the Uganda Law Society reiterates its support to this noble cause,” said Ms Wall.