Background Information on National Moot Competition on IHL

THE UGANDA NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION ON INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW 2009.


Friday, 16th October 2009.




Background Information





Contacts;
Brian Bwesigye Communications Department
Uganda Law Students’ Society International Committee for the Red Cross
Mobile; +256782036263 Tel; 0414341605
Email; bbwesigye@gmail.com Email; com.kam@icrc.org

Background
Within the frame work of its mandate to support the efforts of states in disseminating International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Uganda Law Students’ Society (ULSSO) with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation in Uganda has organized the Uganda National Moot Court competitions on IHL , which will take place on 16th, October, 2009. The competition is open to undergraduate students and is intended to expose students to IHL and humanitarian action through simulation and advocacy.

Objectives
a) To develop an increased awareness and interest in International Humanitarian Law in academic institutions throughout Uganda.

b) To use International Humanitarian Law to further academic excellence in the student community.

c) To develop students’ advocacy skills in an environment of friendly competition.

d) To provide students with access to knowledge, information and materials on International Humanitarian Law so they can disseminate the same.

e) To initiate more student involvement in International Humanitarian Law promotion activities and initiatives.

Organization
This competition is organized on the model of De Martens and Jean Pictete International Moot Court Competition, on which the Annual International Moot Court Competition on IHL in Arusha Tanzania is based on. The participants will be placed in an imaginary humanitarian crisis and will be required to play different roles in the mock-up. A document with background information about the context of the problem will be provided to the participants in time to prepare adequately for the competition. The facts will be based on contemporary conflicts, without referring directly to any real situation. The competition will involve only two rounds, namely, the Group Round and the Final Round.

The Group Round
On the day of the competition, the teams will be divided into two clusters and each team per cluster given a role to play for purposes of the Group Round. To choose a cluster, teams will be picked randomly by a draw of lots. Teams compete simultaneously by playing roles according to the instructions given to each in the two clusters. Judges will award marks according to the performance of each team in the role assigned to it. From each cluster, the best team qualifies for the Final Round.

The Final Round
For purposes of the Final Round, the two best teams from the Group Round clusters teams will cast lots to pick sides for the final appearance. The best team will be decided according to their understanding and application of International Humanitarian Law to the problem in regard to the sides they will be arguing for in the final.
Each finalist receives a medal; the winning team takes the Competition trophy and will represent Uganda at the International Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law in Arusha Tanzania.

Participants
Each university is expected to send not more than two teams to the competition, but in the event that some universities do not send any team, the organizers will invite teams from the other universities. The ICRC will sponsor the best team from the Moot Court Competition to represent Uganda at the Arusha International Moot Court Competition on IHL organized by the Nairobi delegation. A team will constitute three students representing an institution. Participants are expected to be familiar with IHL.

Role of the Universities
The participating universities should advertise the competition to the relevant categories of students. The universities should facilitate their teams to pay the registration fee and also their preparation for the Moot Court competition.

Important Dates to Note.

Date Activity
4th, September, 2009 Deadline for Registration of Teams and Payment of Registration fees.
14th, September, 2009 Sending of Background Facts to the Problem to the teams.
16th, October, 2009 Competition Day.

Tentative Programme of the Day.
Time Item/Activity
08:00am Arrival and Registration of Participants.
08:30am Briefing and an introductory note on the Role of the ICRC and Moot Court Competitions.
09:20am Issuing of Instructions for the Group Round
09:30am BREAK TEA
10:00am Group Round
12:30pm Announcement of Finalists
12:40pm Issuing of Instructions for the Final Round
01:00pm LUNCH BREAK
02:00pm Final Round
04:30pm Announcement of Winners and Prize Awarding





















The Uganda National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law 2009.

Registration Form.
TEAM REGISTRATION.
Name of Team:
Name of University
Name of the Team Coach:
Contact Telephone Number:
Contact Email Address:

STUDENT REGISTRATION.
Participant 1.

First Name:
Surname:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Year of Study:
Telephone Number:
Email:

Participant 2.
First Name:
Surname:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Year of Study:
Telephone Number:
Email:

Participant 3.
First Name:
Surname:
Sex:
Date of Birth:
Year of Study:
Telephone Number:
Email:

Announcement Regarding the Uganda National Moot Court Competition on

We have received the following communication from the president of the Uganda Law Students Society.

UCU will be selecting six rising 4th year students for participation in this competition on behalf of Uganda Christian University. However, it is likely that only three students will ultimately be permitted to participate. Students selected for participation will likely be those enrolled in IHL September Semester. However, exceptions may be made.

If you have a genuine interest in participating in this competition please contact Brian Dennison via e-mail at dbriandennison@gmail.com


The Uganda National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law 2009.

The Uganda Law Students Society with the support of the delegation of the International Committee for the Red Cross in Uganda with pleasure invite your institution to take part in the Uganda National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law 2009 which will take place on Friday, 16th, October, 2009.

To participate in the competition, announce the same to your students, so they form teams of three students each and fill forms of registration. Each student participant pays a modest registration fee of U Shs. 100,000/= which must reach the organizers by 4th, September, 2009.

Six teams, at least one from each university in Uganda will participate in the competition, though a university can register up to two teams. The organizers reserve the right to invite universities to register extra teams in case six teams from different universities have not yet registered by 4th, September, 2009.

We will send the documents containing the facts of the imaginary situation to the six teams after confirmation of their registration to allow them prepare adequately for the Group and Final rounds. The best overall team at the Final Round will represent Uganda at the International Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law in Arusha Tanzania, with full support from the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC).

For more information, consult a document containing background information which will be sent to you shortly or contact Uganda Law Students’ Society (ULSSO) or the ICRC Delegation in Uganda.

Respectfully yours;

Mr. Brian Bwesigye
Uganda Law Students’ Society

UCU Intra-University Moot Competition - Student Notice

Uganda Christian University Intra-University Moot Competition
Student Notice

Due to a conflict with graduation the first round of the Uganda Christian University Moot Competition has been RESCHEDULED.

The first round will begin on Tuesday June 30 at 8:30 a.m.

The second round will immediately follow the first round at 10:30 a.m.

The semi-final round will take place on the afternoon of the Tuesday the 30th beginning at 2:15 p.m.

There will be no law classes on Tuesday June 30th in order to accommodate participants, attendees and lecturing panellists.

The final round will be conducted on the afternoon of Thursday 2 July.

Please note that there will be an optional participant workshop on Monday June 29th at 6:00 p.m. at the Clinical Conference Room located adjacent to the Faculty of Law. This is an opportunity to receive additional guidance and have questions or concerns about the rules or procedure of the competition addressed.

Teams should also report to the clinical conference room at 8:30 a.m. the morning of Tuesday the 30th of June to register and receive instructions.

It will not be possible for all teams to argue for the side that they briefed. Therefore all teams should be prepared to argue on behalf of either side.

The names of the qualifying teams are as follows:

Team 2: Natala Isaac, Lumumye Timothy

Team 4: Mukungu Timothy, Patrick Turinawe

Team 5: Manzi Moses Asiimwe, Kyalimpa Judy, Onyait Perez Michael

Team 6: Amamyire Justus, Sewali Alexandria, Ahimbisibwe Pederiko

Team 7: Kaganzi Lester, Mabalende Lynda, Owiny Michael

Team 8: Tinuoye Funso, Sewaali Jacob Ssimogrere, Kahunde Claire Jean

Team 9: Kagimu Evans Clapton, Musimami Idris, Nabanja Christine Mary

Team 51: Bob Rawlings Omghetich, Nakabugo Grace, Seguya Paul

Team 52: Afoyorworth Winny Epiphany, Nshekanabo David, Kangume Kate

Team 54: Matsiko Samuel, Bulungu John, Muganga Joan

INTRA-UNIVERSITY MOOT COMPETITION

Teams

Registration has closed and the time for filing written briefs has expired. All teams that have filed briefs have qualified to compete in the oral rounds of the moot competition.


Preliminary Rounds

The initial rounds of the Faculty of Law’s Intra-University Moot Competition will take place on Saturday, 27 June 2009.

Competing Teams are to report to the Faculty of Law’s Clinical Conference Room at
9:00 a.m. the day of the competition.

The first round is scheduled to begin promptly at 9:30.

The second round will begin at 11:00

Lunch will be provided for participants, time-keepers and panellists.

Semi-finalists who advance from the second round will compete at 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.


The Final Round:

The final championship round will be held at on the afternoon of Thursday, 2 July 2009.



Thank you for your interest and participation