News

The University of Botswana (UB) is set to confer an honorary Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa (DLitt) on Hon Justice Professor Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the judiciary, legal scholarship, human rights and the advancement of justice in Botswana and internationally.

Justice Dingake, a renowned constitutional lawyer and academic, has built an illustrious career spanning several jurisdictions, becoming one of Botswana’s most prominent legal minds and a respected figure in international judicial circles.

He currently serves as a judge of the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea (PNG), making history as the first African to be appointed to the country’s highest courts. His judicial experience also includes service at the Seychelles Court of Appeal and Botswana’s High Court and Industrial Court.

In 2013, he was appointed by the United Nations Secretary General as a judge of the Residual Special Court of Sierra Leone, further demonstrating the international recognition of his judicial expertise.

His forthcoming honorary doctorate from UB which will be conferred during this year’s graduation on the 21st - 23rd of October 2026, carries particular significance given his longstanding association with the institution where he previously taught law and contributed to the development of legal scholarship in Botswana.

By way of background, Justice Dingake holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law from the University of Cape Town, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of London and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Botswana. He has also undertaken postgraduate studies in International Development Studies and the Political Economy of Development at the University of Oslo and the London School of Economics respectively.

Apart from the courtroom, Justice Dingake has established himself as an influential scholar whose work explores constitutional law, human rights, public health and social justice.

He has taught constitutional law at universities in Botswana and abroad and is widely recognised for his contribution to constitutional jurisprudence. His scholarly work includes more than seven (7) legal books, among them Judges, Lawyers and In Pursuit of Justice.

Further, his expertise extends to the intersection of law and public health, particularly HIV and human rights. To that end, Justice Dingake has served on the advisory committee established by UNAIDS for the publication of Judging the Epidemic: A Judicial Handbook on HIV, Human Rights and the Law in 2013. Justice Dingake has delivered scholarly papers on HIV, sexual and reproductive health rights and the law at universities around the world, among them, the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles, in the United States.

Throughout his career, his academic standing has earned him several appointments at international institutions. In January 2019, he became the first African to serve as a William L. Beatty Jurist in Residence at Southern Illinois University in the United States. Furthermore, he is an Honorary Professor of Public Law at the University of Cape Town and an adjunct professor at James Cook University and the University of New England in Australia. Additionally, he serves as a professor of law at the University of Lay Adventists of Kigali and San Beda University in the Philippines, where he teaches constitutional theory.

His contribution to gender justice has also been recognised internationally. In 2013, Women's Link Worldwide awarded him a Bronze Gavel Award for his work promoting gender justice.

As such, Justice Dingake continues to play a leading role in regional and continental initiatives promoting judicial leadership, human rights and social justice. This is evidenced by him assuming responsibilities such as chair of the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum and co-chairs the Africa Regional Judges Forum on HIV/TB, Human Rights and the Law as well as the African Think Tank on HIV, Health and Social Justice.

Beyond these accolades, he is a lead facilitator at the Judicial Institute for Africa at the University of Cape Town and serves as Chancellor of ABM University College in Botswana. His influence in the legal profession extends to the international judicial arena, with Botswana nominating him as its candidate for election to the International Court of Justice for the 2027–2036 term.

As a result, it is expected that the honorary doctorate will further cement Justice Dingake’s legacy as a jurist whose career bridges judicial practice, academic inquiry and the promotion of human dignity.

By honouring one of its own law graduates and former lecturers, UB is recognising both his distinguished career and the enduring contribution of the University to producing legal professionals whose expertise and influence have reached well beyond Botswana.

Therefore, Justice Dingake’s career reflects the potential of legal scholarship and judicial service to shape constitutional governance, strengthen human rights protections and advance access to justice across Africa and the wider international community.