Young Lawyers Decry Lower Pay, Sexual Harassment

 The Young Lawyers Network, a newly launched  organization have called for urgent reforms in the legal profession citing a number of challenges ranging from lower pay, sexual exploitation,  limited opportunities for young lawyers in Uganda among others.

 Founders Tonny Tumukunde and Racheal Ayebare have called for a minimum wage for young lawyers and the latter decrying the objectification of female lawyers.

 These claim that, "Young lawyers are paid peanuts, some of them are earning Shs 100,000, some of them are earning 300,000 shillings

"We need at least an ascertained fee to be paid to a lawyer starting his profession."Said Tumukunde.

 "Most of the young girls are not being paid for what they can bring to the table, they are being paid with their bodies... It's one thing to be beautiful and another thing to have the brains." Said Ayebale who protected his employer.

However, Isaac Ssemakadde, Executive Director of Legal Brains Trust, supported the young l cautioned against simplistic solutions.

 "We must move beyond emotive appeals and confront the systemic issues eroding our profession," he said. "The proposals so far presented by the Young Lawyers Network are like a shallow stream that dries up in the dry season—lacking the depth and substance needed to quench the thirst for justice in our society." Ssemakadde emphasized the need for collective action, urging young lawyers to take ownership of their destiny and reject the culture of dependency and entitlement.

The controversy highlights the urgent need for reform in Uganda's legal profession, with many young lawyers feeling disillusioned and disenfranchised. As Ssemakadde noted on X (formerly Twitter), "New entrants to the legal profession in Uganda deserve better than to be treated like endangered children in need of rescue.

 It's time for a more nuanced and honest conversation, one that acknowledges the complexity of the issues surrounding advocates' remuneration and the need for collective action to drive meaningful change."