Uganda LAWA Fellow 1995-1996 L.L.B., Makerere University Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Law Development Center, Uganda L.L.M., Georgetown University Law Center

Affiliations: LAW-Uganda

Profile:

Ms. Wakabi, who passed away on November 16, 2000, made tremendous strides in the furtherance of women’s rights. In honor of her great compassion, intelligence and drive, the conference “Call for Action on Women’s Rights Think Tanks: Celebrating Ms. Kulsum Wakabi’s Life,” was held in Uganda in December 2000. Friends, colleagues and family discussed her dedication to women’s rights and the need to continue the work to which she was so dedicated.

LAWA Experience:

Ms. Wakabi concentrated her research on domestic violence in Uganda, which culminated in her graduate thesis entitled, “Domestic Violence: Strategies for Combatting Wife Battery in Uganda.” For her fellowship internship, Ms. Wakabi was placed with Human Rights Watch in the Women’s Rights Project, where she performed research regarding women’s rights in armed conflict situations.

Additional Experience:

Ms. Wakabi was long an active member of FIDA(U), ACFODE (Action for Women and Development, and ANNPCAN (African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect). In 1996, she co-founded and became the Chairperson of Law and Advocacy for Women – Uganda (LAW-U). As part of her work with LAW-U, Ms. Wakabi acted as lead co-counsel with the Georgetown University International Women’s Human Rights Clinic on cases to promote women’s rights in Uganda. She returned to private law practice in Kampala in November 1996 and two years later formed her own private practice: Mukooyo, Wakabi & Company, where she continued to provide services for women in need.