KAMPALA — A bar course clerkship placement has been terminated following a dispute between a student and a Jinja-based law firm over leave and demands for daily allowances, according to correspondence from Okalang Law Chambers.
In a letter dated August 10, 2026, and addressed to the Acting Head of the Department of Postgraduate Legal Studies and Legal Aid at the Law Development Centre (LDC), the firm said it could no longer continue hosting student Nabwire Judith for her clerkship.
Nabwire had been referred to Okalang Law Chambers by the LDC as part of her bar course clerkship and was accepted by the firm.
According to the firm’s account, she reported to its Jinja office on the morning of August 4 after travelling by bus from Mbarara the previous day.
The firm said that upon reporting, Nabwire requested a one-week leave, citing the need to rest after the journey from Mbarara.
Although the firm considered the request unusual, it granted the leave.
She returned to the office on August 10, when the dispute reportedly arose over allowances.
According to Okalang Law Chambers, Nabwire requested that the firm provide her with daily transport, breakfast and lunch allowances.
The firm said the demands were not part of its arrangements for the clerkship and would introduce additional, unbudgeted costs to the practice.
It subsequently decided to discontinue the placement and referred the student back to the LDC.
The firm informed the institution that it was unable to continue providing the clerkship training under the circumstances.
The correspondence has brought attention to the expectations and responsibilities surrounding bar course clerkships, particularly where students are placed with private law firms that may not have arrangements to provide daily financial allowances.
The matter now returns to the LDC, which is expected to determine the student’s next placement and any further action arising from the dispute.
