Law students at Mount Kigali University (MKUR) are gaining valuable practical experience in legal research, advocacy and courtroom practice through participation in national and regional legal competitions. The latest opportunity came during the Rwanda National Rounds of the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition 2026, held in Kigali on 21 September 2026, where MKU Law students put their classroom knowledge into practice while engaging with emerging legal issues in technology and data protection.
Organised by Unwanted Witness in partnership with Kigali Attorneys and Partners Ltd, the competition brought together law students from several higher learning institutions to examine issues surrounding personal data protection in digital financial services and fintech ecosystems. For the participating MKUR students, the competition provided more than an academic exercise. It gave them an opportunity to experience the practical demands of legal practice by researching a contemporary legal problem, analysing legal arguments, preparing submissions and presenting their positions before a panel. Through the moot court format, students were required to think critically, interpret legal principles, construct persuasive arguments and respond to questions under pressure. These experiences help bridge the gap between theoretical legal knowledge and the practical skills required in professional legal practice. The competition also strengthened students’ abilities in public speaking, legal writing, teamwork, advocacy and professional communication skills that are essential for aspiring advocates and other legal professionals.
Established in 2022 by Unwanted Witness, the Privacy Moot Court Competition provides law students with a platform to explore emerging issues in privacy, data protection, technology, governance and human rights. It also exposes students to legal questions arising from the rapid growth of digital technologies and their impact on society. The competition has since expanded beyond its original national format in Uganda to become an East African platform bringing together universities from across the region. The previous edition brought together institutions from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, focusing on the privacy implications of national digital identification systems. The 2026 Rwanda national rounds continued this focus on emerging digital rights, with students examining the legal and human rights implications of data use within digital financial services and fintech ecosystems. At Mount Kigali University, practical learning is an important component of preparing students for professional careers. The School of Law combines academic instruction with opportunities that enable students to apply legal concepts to real-world situations.
The School offers a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and a Master’s in Commercial and Investment Law, preparing students for careers in legal practice, research, policy, commerce and investment, legal consultancy and other areas of the profession. Through activities such as moot court competitions, legal research, advocacy exercises and other experiential learning opportunities, students are encouraged to develop the confidence and competence required to navigate the realities of legal practice. The Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition is one example of how students can test their knowledge beyond the classroom. By engaging with contemporary legal questions, MKUR Law students are exposed to the complexities that lawyers increasingly encounter in a technology-driven society. Participation in competitions such as this also provides students with opportunities to interact with other law students and legal professionals, broaden their professional networks and gain insight into emerging areas of legal practice.
For MKUR Law students, the experience reinforces the University’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically knowledgeable but also practice-ready, confident and capable of applying the law to real-world challenges. As digital technologies continue to transform financial services, commerce and everyday life, lawyers will increasingly be required to understand the intersection between law, technology, privacy and human rights. Through practical experiences such as the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot Court Competition, MKUR students are gaining the skills and exposure needed to engage with these emerging challenges and contribute meaningfully to the legal profession in Rwanda and beyond. At Mount Kigali University, legal education goes beyond the classroom, giving students opportunities to learn, practise, compete and develop the confidence to become the legal professionals of tomorrow.