Professor Tachilisa Balule (right) with Judge Professor Key Dingake
Gaborone, Botswana — March 16, 2026 The University of Botswana will today host a pivotal public lecture as the national debate over the establishment of a constitutional court intensifies.
The lecture, scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026, at 17:00 hrs in the University of Botswana Library Auditorium, will be delivered by Professor Tachilisa Balule, a respected constitutional law scholar.
The event is expected to draw academics, policymakers, and members of the public eager to engage in one of Botswana’s most pressing governance discussions.
The Constitutional Court Debate
Calls for the creation of a constitutional court in Botswana have grown louder in recent years. Proponents argue that such a court would provide specialised oversight on constitutional matters, strengthen democratic governance, and ensure clearer adjudication of disputes involving fundamental rights.
Opponents, however, caution that Botswana’s existing judicial framework—anchored by the High Court and Court of Appeal—already provides adequate constitutional interpretation. They warn that introducing a new court could duplicate functions, strain resources, and complicate the judicial hierarchy.
The lecture by Professor Balule is expected to provide comparative insights from other African jurisdictions where constitutional courts have played decisive roles in safeguarding democracy, while also examining whether Botswana’s current system requires reform.
