Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has unveiled a stunning line-up of rewards, including a brand new Mercedes-Benz model, luxury trips, and high-end gadgets, for attendees of its maiden Digital Transformation Festival (TechFest 2025), set for August 14–15 this week at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Speaking to the media at a press conference held at ULS House in Kampala on Tuesday, August 11, Senior Advocate Tony Galandi, the event’s organising chairperson, described the festival as a “radical disruption” from the traditional Annual Law Conference.
“This time, you could walk away with the iconic 320 CDI Black Mercedes-Benz UK model; the latest 4Matic prototype just by buying a ticket,” Galandi stressed.
Tickets for physical attendance are priced at Shs500,000 for senior lawyers and Shs400,000 for young lawyers, while online participants pay Shs200,000, all of which automatically enter them into the raffle draw. Non-lawyers, too, can attend the tech exhibition for Shs1 million, with equal chances to win.
Galandi revealed that the prize pool also includes fully-paid international trips to Toronto, Cape Town, and Dubai, alongside tech gadgets that include TVs, fridges, gas cookers, and other high-end electronics. “Your lucky day is your lucky day,” he quipped, noting that winners will be drawn purely by raffle, not judged on innovations.
The two-day event will also host exhibitions from legal-tech innovators, both lawyers and non-lawyers, showcasing solutions ranging from case-tracking platforms to mobile applications connecting clients with licensed advocates.
ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, in his remarks to the media, said the festival is “a time for disruption” and a deliberate move to prepare the legal profession for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“We want our members to leave Munyonyo with not just knowledge but tangible benefits — and maybe even a brand-new Mercedes-Benz,” he said.
The ULS President, Isaac Ssemakadde, whose speech was read in his absentia, by Counsel Sheila Namahe, described the Mercedes-Benz Challenge as “a symbol of aspiration and excellence” designed to spark excitement and participation. “These are not mere prizes; they are catalysts to fuse innovation with our core principles,” he stated.
With backing from platinum sponsor MTN Uganda and partners including Stanbic Bank, NSSF, UCC, Unicaf University, Milima Security, Diamond Advocates, ABMAK Associates, and S&L Advocates, TechFest 2025 promises to deliver high-energy panels, live demonstrations, and exhibitions by innovators from across Africa.
Tech innovators can secure exhibition booths for USD 300 (about UGX 1.2 million), gaining exposure to over 7,000 lawyers and a diverse public audience. “The aim is to bridge the gap between legal practitioners and the people whose lives the law affects,” Galandi explained.
Keynote speaker of the Tech Fest, Prof Bitange Ndemo, credited with pioneering East Africa’s fibre network, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside other honourees recognised for their contributions to innovation and justice.
The ULS Tech Festival, themed A Radical Leap into the Digital Future of Justice, will feature government dignitaries, top legal minds, tech developers, academicians, and civil society leaders, with over 7,000 lawyers expected to participate physically and online.
