Honesty should be a priority

What does your job entail?
It entails working with various stakeholders, including government, corporations, International Finance Institutions, and communities to ensure corporate accountability. For instance, I am here as part of our engagement with the African Development Bank and the Independent Recourse Mechanism.
How would you say you have gotten to where you are today?

I would say that I have gotten to where I am today because of a strong sense of purpose, focus, and hard work. I have also been blessed with incredible mentors and role models.

Briefly walk me through your career journey… 

Well, I am a very normal Ugandan. I have gone through catholic schools throughout my education, and upon completion of my A – level at St Francis Borgia, I joined Makerere University to study law on a government scholarship.
I went on to do my Post Graduate Diploma in legal practice at the Law Development Centre (LDC). I had work experience with ALP East Africa Advocates, which is a regional firm with offices across East Africa. I garnered a lot of experience in terms of legal practice. I then joined the Uganda Consortium on Corporate Accountability as a project officer. I am currently in the final stages of completing my Master of Laws from Makerere University majoring in International Dispute Settlement. 

What are the ethics upon which your career is anchored?

My career is anchored on honesty, meeting all assignments with integrity and diligence, and abiding by professional rules. 

Why is honesty very important to you?

I think it's crucial for all professions, not just for lawyers, to prioritize honesty. Honesty fosters trust, and trust leads to faith. Regrettably, there's a rising negative perception of lawyers as individuals who support oppressors and cheat clients. Although there have been regrettable incidents that don't accurately represent our profession, I believe that honesty is essential for people to have faith in the professionals they encounter.

What would you say has been your biggest career achievement?

I rarely consider my accomplishments. They are not final, because life is constantly evolving. Each achievement serves as a stepping stone towards my next goal. For instance, while receiving a government sponsorship to study law was once a significant achievement for me, it was, but a step towards other achievements. I believe my biggest career accomplishment is still ahead of me.

What is your career mantra?
Honesty and hard work.

Who or what would you say has been your turning point and why would you consider it so in your career?

I have always aspired to be a lawyer, and there have been specific moments that reinforced my determination.
I once observed an elderly woman at the commercial court grappling with a land case, and it deeply touched me. To me, the law is about the ability to assist, but it seems that only the very wealthy can afford legal services. As an individual, I can't help everyone, but for every person I can assist, I do so wholeheartedly. This keeps me grounded, focused, and motivated.

Apart from Law, what else defines you?

I have been a leader at different stages of my life. I enjoy reading and I'm a fan of sports, particularly soccer. Unfortunately, my favorite team, Chelsea, hasn't been performing well lately. I used to play soccer as well, but my schedule has become too tight and I hardly play these days.
I also like to read, and I serve as a member, Board of Governors, St Francis Borgia in Lugazi Diocese.

What kind of literature do you read?

I enjoy reading autobiographies because they provide insight into other people’s lives. Every page of these books represents a story in someone's life. Through reading, I experience life from different perspectives and contexts. I have read many autobiographies, but the one of Abraham Lincoln really stands out to me. He was a remarkable man whose journey was marred with determination and struggle.   

If you were to invite someone, dead or alive for coffee, who would it be and what would you talk about?

I would love to have a conversation with Nelson Mandela. I am interested in learning about his thoughts and feelings when he was facing the prospect of being sentenced to death. I want to understand the courage and inner strength that drove him, and how he managed to remain a peaceful and amiable person despite the immense challenges he faced. I would definitely invite him for a coffee and pick his brain.

What is on your career wish list?

I actually prefer keeping my cards close and focusing on the tasks at hand. All I can say is that I am highly ambitious but also very grounded. I know that reaching my goals requires hard work. But who knows, maybe you are speaking to the future Secretary General (SG) of the United Nations.