黑料爆料

For alumnus Andrew Khaukha (MDR 鈥�24), the legal system is more than a framework of rules and procedures; it鈥檚 a governing institution that has the ability to irrevocably impact lives. Understanding this profound power, Khaukha has dedicated his life to not only practicing law, but actively working to transform it. In March, he was appointed as a judge of the High Court of Uganda, a role similar to a US District Court judge, where he presides over civil and criminal cases, hears appeals, and ensures justice and human rights are upheld in his home country.

Khaukha鈥檚 legal career spans more than two decades, with extensive contributions to judicial reform, legislative drafting, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that have left a lasting impact on Uganda's legal system. Prior to his appointment to a High Court judge of Uganda, Khaukha served as a technical advisor to the Ugandan Judiciary and guided senior judges on key reforms and helped draft important legal rules, including those on civil procedure, land evictions, and plea bargaining. His work improved the court system鈥檚 efficiency by reducing case backlogs and supporting ADR initiatives. Additionally, Khaukha has led the development of Uganda's sentencing guidelines, making it the first African country to implement such a framework. These guidelines have brought consistency and predictability to the sentencing process by addressing disparities and enhancing compliance with legal standards.

Andrew Khaukha shaking hands with the Chief Justice of Uganda

A passionate legal professional and educator, Khaukha balances a multitude of roles within the Ugandan judicial system with his work as an adjunct professor at the , where he nurtures future generations of legal talent. Khaukha credits his achievements to divine guidance, believing God placed opportunities in his path to prepare him for a greater purpose.

"God can never give you responsibilities you cannot handle,鈥� Khaukha shares. 鈥淕od will always prepare you before giving you assignments.鈥� 

In addition to his recent appointment, Khaukha was made executive director of the Judicial Training Institute of Uganda, the national body responsible for training judges. He was also appointed to serve as head of the secretariat for the newly formed Africa chief justices ADR Forum in 2024, a continental initiative among chief justices advancing the practice of ADR across Africa, which is bringing transformative innovations leading to access to justice for everyone. 

鈥淭hrough my pursuit of a (MDR) at the Caruso School of Law as well as my from 黑料爆料, God has prepared me to be a leader in ADR,鈥� Khaukha says. 鈥淲ith the help of my Pepperdine education, I have been able to apply my knowledge and expertise to the benefit of not only my country but the African continent. I am dedicated to supporting and training judicial officers in Uganda on ADR, as everyone deserves the right to accessible and fair justice."

Khaukha and Danny DeWalt

Regarding Khaukha鈥檚 prestigious designation to a High Court judge, Danny DeWalt, senior vice president of global impact and chief of staff at Pepperdine, notes the significant influence of Khaukha鈥檚 work over the years.

鈥淗e has been a key strategist in the development of innovations for justice reforms for more than a decade, and it鈥檚 been a remarkable journey to see how these innovations are now impacting many justice systems across Africa," says DeWalt.

Khaukha's relationship with Pepperdine began 15 years ago when he met then-professor Jim Gash (JD '93), now University president, who was collaborating with Uganda's former chief justice and high court judges on a program to introduce plea bargaining and support juvenile offenders. Already engaged in similar reforms, Khaukha approached Gash to work together. This led to the formation of a committee, with Khaukha as lead researcher, to officially introduce plea bargaining in Uganda. Pepperdine then stepped in to support this initiative, eventually formalizing a partnership with the Ugandan Judiciary, with Khaukha managing the project.

鈥淔rom that time on, Pepperdine became a family to not only me but the judiciary of Uganda as a whole,鈥� shares Khaukha. 鈥淚 will always be grateful to Pepperdine for welcoming me as part of a community that teaches, serves, and carries out the love of Christ through our shared work."

In his role as adjunct professor at the Caruso School of Law, Khaukha invests in mentoring interns and participates in the University鈥檚 international study programs across many countries in Africa. Beyond teaching, Khaukha has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between Pepperdine and African judicial institutions. Notably, he played a key role in the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between the East African Court of Justice and Pepperdine, which aimed to enhance ADR capacity through joint training programs, student exchanges, and the development of mediation frameworks. 

Looking ahead, Khaukha sees this new role as a judge of the High Court of Uganda as an opportunity to strengthen his impact both as a facilitator of justice and as an educator. In addition, his experience leading faculty training for Africa鈥檚 chief justices, justices, and magistrates in ADR will help him to bring a judge-mediator perspective to those sessions.

"This experience will only enrich my presence in the classroom,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t will allow me to offer not just practical insights from the bench, but also serve as a mentor and coach鈥攇uiding students on what it means to be an effective and efficient judge. I will continue investing in the next generation of American and Ugandan law students, now with even deeper firsthand experience.鈥�