“DESKTOP” INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITY FOR THE LAW FRATERNITY

Introduction

This is a proposal intended and meant to address the ideas and concepts of self employment that we as legal practitioners intend to implement as a form of elevating our social standards.  Publication of writings is our intended project which will cover a wide scope of legal practitioners, lawyers and the public.

The publication will range from case commentaries, textbooks, newsletters, paper presentation, journals to magazines. Through this, we intend to cover all areas in the legal fraternity and latest developments that are crucial before the public highlighting both institution of justice and its miscarriage. This is henceforth not pro-borno service but rather a service that is intended to benefit us economically and further educate and create employment for the public. With this, we shall be able to earn income beside our full time job by selling published materials to the different market.

NATURE OF THE PROJECT

The project is one which will encompass mostly lawyers and judges who are willing to take off their time to make write outs for the benefit of society and also as part time income for them (lawyers and judges).

Much as it seems limited to “learned friends”, in the process of production, other people will be involved for example editors, those concerned with publication and marketing. In the process, many individuals from the society will benefit too.

Objectives/Aims of the Project   

1. To generate income through the selling of various forms of publication as already stated above.

2. To create employment for the people through printing and writing to the Project.

3. To promote justice in the society through the peaceful tool of commentary on unjust laws and leaders in our society.

4. To fight corruption through carrying out civic education and through newsletters, commentaries and presentations.

5. To educate the society on law through publication of materials.

6. To impact a positive change in the way the society perceives law and the whole system of dispensing justice.

7. Human rights awareness as a key factor in development.

EXPECTATION

The lawyers’ income will increase hence improving their standards of living and the general public since employment opportunities in this activity are not limited to only lawyers. (Vendors, publishing companies etc).

This project is efficient for lawyers and judges since it is not physically engaging (desktop-income generating income activity) therefore contributors will be readily available.

Human rights will be upheld and promoted through the writings since expert opinions also give an insight into the freedom and rights of people.                                                                        

Employment opportunities will be created for vendors, marketers, suppliers and other persons who will be involved in the process hence improving lives of the whole public.

WRITINGS CONSIDERED

Different kinds of publication will be done in respect of the prevailing circumstances and will all serve different interests. These will include;

News Letters:  These will take a form like the news papers but will zero down to particular issues that transpired during the week hence it will be a weekly publication ( at the end of the week) and the essence is for public to read and get to know the legal opinion on very pertinent issues.

Text Books:  with the increasing number of institutions, there is need for availability of resources to enable effective teaching. Much as most lawyers have published text books on legal matters and other matters especially business, there is need to boost this hence this project will help those who want to publish their books and in return they will be able to get income out of it since there is ready market for such materials.

Case Commentaries:  Many cases have been decided by courts in Uganda and some have attracted public attention for example cases like Kato Kajubi, Tonku, Kiyinji, among others. There has been a major problem in the perception of either judgments or procedures of trial in these different cases and therefore case commentaries by prominent Judges and lawyers will help sort out public confusion and this connotes the idea of market. This will be additional income for the writers hence elevating their status.

Journals: of recent, journals have been highly recommended for research as they provide vital and relevant information. The key aspect in this is that there is always “a call for papers” where contributors are paid a certain agreed upon sum for the articles or notes they contribute to the journals. These can either be electronic or print. In most Universities in United Kingdom, it is a prerequisite for one to have been a part of a law Journal in order to be admitted for Post-graduate studies in law; with this, most lawyers will be more willing to contribute to journals to fulfill that obligation and at the same time earning some income from it.

Magazines:  these will feature activities that are both under the legal fraternity and the public at large. There will be a centre to receive submissions and at an agreed interval the magazine will be published and all contributors will be paid a certain amount of money. The public too will be interested in knowing the other side of lawyers hence market will be readily available.

START CAPITAL

• Contributions from stake holders: The stake holders will contribute a certain agreeable amount to the project. This will be in terms of membership and subscription.
• Through public lectures and launches, we can be able to raise money to support the IGA
• Through aid (UN-HUMANITARIAN RIGHTS COMMISSION), with a good proposal to such a commission and others like UK-AID, we can be able to raise funds.
• Partnerships with companies wishing to advertise in the magazines, journals, newsletters among others. These will contribute a certain percentage to the publication. Pertinent to this, we would partner with publishing companies like Law-Africa for a more friendly publication fee.

THE TARGET MARKET

Since these writings will be commercial, we envisage the following as the target market

·         General public to benefit from the publications.

·    Schools, institutions of higher learning, research institutions, and media houses, among others.

·      Imperative to note, the work of prominent judges and lawyers can be used as persuasive precedents for judges while deciding certain cases hence improve on the Judiciary a very important arm of Government.

Benefits/advantages of this project viz a’ viz others

v    Experience

Since this project zeros down onto publication of material that lawyers are well vast and conversant with, this will in the long run promote efficiency. It will be a form dispensing justice in the legal fraternity and public at large which will also be a source of income.

v  Efficiency

The legal profession tends to be so hectic and demanding hence with the employment of official publishers saves us the burden of all time active involvement in the editorial process as lawyers can contribute articles and their physical presence is not of essence.

v  Convenience

This is a desktop income generating activity, we are aware that the legal practitioners spend most of their time in chambers, court and firms attending to clients. This henceforth puts them at a disadvantage of engaging in specific activities say attend to a business that requires moving from their work place. Publication is an activity that suits the legal fraternity as it involves keeping around libraries that is typical of the legal profession.

v  Professionalism

Much as there are many commentaries and publications about the law that have been made by various categories of people the impact they have in the society is minimal. Readers tend to category desire coming from an informed point of view and this brings in the point of expertise. Hence as lawyers, we tend to print/ publish material that will be appreciated and cause a positive change in the society at large. 

John Michael Nkugwa UCU- Mukono

                             &

Junior Michael Aboneka UCU- Mukono