By BM
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) Vice President, Anthony Asiimwe, expressed regret over losing a client due to his lack of knowledge about Artificial Intelligence (AI), underscoring the urgent need for lawyers to embrace digital technologies.
During his keynote address at the launch of the Digital Transformation Festival, scheduled for August 14 to 15, 2025, at the Commonwealth Resort in Munyonyo, Asiimwe recounted how a female client living abroad requested a short draft legal statement for selling a property.
She intended to use AI tools to expand and complete the document, but Asiimwe was unable to assist because he lacked AI knowledge.
Consequently, the property was sold by another advocate, causing him to lose the client and potential earnings.
Highlighting the rapid digitization of judicial operations, Asiimwe urged lawyers across Uganda to adopt AI and other digital innovations to stay relevant and competitive in the evolving legal landscape.
He emphasized that the Uganda Law Society is actively focusing on helping advocates adapt to these changes.
The festival, organized by the Radical New Bar in partnership with the Uganda Law Society, aims to expose legal professionals to the latest technological advancements transforming legal practice worldwide.
The launch at ULS offices featured remarks from Asiimwe and Council Chairperson Tonny Galandi Kiire.
Asiimwe warned that resisting technological change could render lawyers obsolete, noting that the profession is already losing clients and jobs due to digital disruption.
He stressed the importance of adopting modern tools to streamline legal work and meet the expectations of increasingly tech-savvy clients.
Supporting this view, a 2024 study by the National Association for Law Placement highlighted a widening gap between the tech-savvy public and traditional legal practices, disadvantaging firms slow to adopt digital solutions.
Council Galandi reiterated that the festival’s goal is to equip lawyers with up-to-date knowledge of digital innovations such as online legal databases, dispute resolution platforms, and client-facing tools that improve accessibility and efficiency in legal services.
Afrobeats singer Priscilla Zawedde, popularly known as Azawi, attended the launch as a brand ambassador for the Radical New Bar and stressed the need for legal systems to evolve alongside technological trends.
The festival has attracted key sponsors including MTN Uganda, which has pledged UGX 100 million, along with Stanbic Bank and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Legal tech entrepreneurs and investors have been invited to showcase groundbreaking solutions during the two-day event.
Organizers say the Digital Transformation Festival will provide a valuable learning platform and networking space where legal professionals and innovators can collaborate to shape the future of legal practice in Uganda and beyond. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
