While attending one of the many Presidential debate meetings, I gained the utmost inner strength in me to go say hello, take a selfie and yet humbly ask for an interview with Canon Justice James Manage Ogoola.
What university did u attend?
I went to the University of East Africa, Dar-es-salaam campus where all people doing law that time studied.
Was studying law your choice and how did you get there?
It was totally my choice and how I got there was quite interesting. That was the time Uganda had just attained its independence. Before that, colonial masters were not allowing people to study law, economics and so on because they wanted to continue with their harsh colonial policies without being questioned; but after transition we were able to study in order to confront the colonialists.
What kind of student were u?
(Poses and thinks deeply)
I was an average student really. I was a member of various clubs; and also did some politicking.
Were you in an open relationship while at University?
I tried but I think they rejected me. (We both heartily laugh out)
Anyway, I was not so much of the social type. (Still laughing)
What did you used to do during your free time?
Sports; I was captain of tennis and hockey teams. I remember travelling to Makerere to compete.
(Smiles) Dar-es-salaam Campus was brand new then. Student body was different… most of our lecturers were from abroad ( Canada and the rest of Africa). Remarkable thing was the academic atmosphere. Everyone was to be to the left of everyone else (socialism). We used to have small discussions outside academia. Generally, all that was so memorable.
Travelling all the way from Uganda to Tanzania!! Was it hectic?
Not really, we came furthest, some from Masaka. It was just an adventure. The roads and buses of then are not the same of course but it was fun. The current vice president and others came from Uganda, we were quite a number. African lawyers from Ghana. We had common services including one currency. It was such a cosmopolitan time. I belong everywhere. I have friends from all over east Africa.
How do you view the law society in Uganda?
It is a revolution. There are so many lawyers in the country, which is good. We need passionate lawyers in all aspects i.e sports, politics, research and others, not all lawyers for example in Europe end up in courts of law, lawyers need to specialise in what they can do best. On the other hand, I see Uganda is over subscribing lawyers in the making. It should be about the quality not quantity because at the end of the day, lecturers need to give attention to each one of the law students which is impossible because it is a large number. Marking, for instance, shouldn’t become a challenge to lecturers. Also, I’ve noted ethics and standards seem to be dropping. Law is now below the bar unlike it was then.
A word to campus students…
Do your very best in your academics. The world is a tough nut to crack. Absorb as much as you can. Not only in your area of study but elsewhere.
Read for pleasure, even beyond the text book. Do a lot of reading!!
School is key, skills acquired from school cannot be got anywhere else.
Justice James Ogoola is the former principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda and the Justice of the COMESA court of justice in Lusaka, Zambia. He is the chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission of Uganda.
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