Uganda Bans Lawyers From Calling Judges ‘My Lord’ and Orders End to Courtroom Bows
Uganda’s judiciary has introduced new courtroom etiquette rules, banning lawyers from addressing judges as “My Lord” or “My Lady” and ordering an end to bows in court.
The directive, issued by the Judiciary’s Chief Registrar, is part of efforts to modernize court proceedings and make them less colonial. Under the new guidelines, lawyers must now address judicial officers as “Your Worship” for magistrates, “Your Honour” for High Court and Court of Appeal judges, and “Chief Justice/Justice” for Supreme Court judges.
The circular also prohibits the traditional practice of bowing to judges when entering or leaving court. Court staff have been told to enforce the new mode of address and conduct with immediate effect.
Judiciary officials say the old titles and bows are remnants of British colonial practice and do not reflect Uganda’s current legal identity. The move aligns with calls across several Commonwealth countries to decolonize legal language and make courts feel more accessible to ordinary citizens.
Officials argue that “Your Honour” and “Your Worship” are more neutral, professional, and in line with Uganda’s 1995 Constitution and judicial code of conduct.
The announcement has sparked debate among lawyers. Some welcome it as a step toward equality and modernization. Others say “My Lord” is a sign of respect for the office, not the individual, and worry the change could erode courtroom decorum.
The Uganda Law Society has not yet issued an official position, but discussions are ongoing in legal circles and on social media.
Uganda joins a growing list of countries reviewing colonial-era legal traditions. Kenya, for example, dropped “My Lord” in lower courts years ago, while other jurisdictions still retain it.
For now, Ugandan lawyers appearing in court will have to adjust their language and skip the bow. Failure to comply, the judiciary warns, could lead to being reprimanded by the presiding officer.