1. Briefly tell me about Yourself?
I am Joel Jerry Walyono a finalist/semi-graduate at the IUIU Kampala campus. Fmr. Prime Minister - Guild & Attorney General and a veteran Mooter.
2. What is your schedule on a typical day?
I at times start it off with a prayer or a song (gospel). During school, I wake up at 7:20 am (usually if the semester has just begun)
I always take note of my assignments in due time and prepare adequately a day or two before that assignment.
Priorities always take first place I'm always drawing a line of distinction in between what's a priority & what can wait.
I wrap it up with music, and prayer & guess what I'll have the most peaceful night.
Public speaking is one of the essential skills for law students and lawyers.
Albeit the essentiality, many still struggle to get past their fears of developing this skill. As a person of good oratory skills,
3. What’s your advice to law students who struggle with public speaking?
Well, Public speaking is more or less an art thus it develops over time & practice.
To law students, mooting is the best avenue to improve one's oratory skills and this subsequently will help you after law school(in practice/leadership etcetera).
Secondly, I've always listened to great orators of all times the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and at times to our own learned Prof. PLO Lumumba, Obama, and other public figures with good Oratory skills.
I thus pick a word/two or at times borrow their art of speech.
Lastly, reading novels, etc & watching non-translated movies & series (especially legal drama) aka katandika butandisi.
5. If you got a higher-paying job unrelated to law after you start practicing, would you still pursue it?
Haha... It's an interesting question. Well, I would pursue it for a while, and after 5 years or so I would resign/retire & go back to practice (litigation).
In fact, even if I were to serve on the bench. I wouldn't serve forever, I would request early retirement at a certain point and do some litigation.
I love litigation despite its challenges.
What pressing issue would you like to address in the law field, if you had the power and authority?
The aspect of Judicial independence in Uganda is interfered with daily. If not addressed it'll forever be a great obstacle to justice & democratic governance.
And maybe the need to embrace specialization in the profession. You literally can't be good at every field.
It's high time we embraced it.
What is the one thing you have done that you are most proud of?
Completing law school with such great knowledge, skill & experience in the law, politics etcetera.
I'm proud of that. Glory be to God.
6. Besides, Law what would be the other career you wish to pursue?
Perhaps I would try Journalism though still I would go back and study law.
I've always wanted to be a lawyer since I was young.
In fact, I could attend court sessions in primary 7 & throughout my secondary school at Mbale High Court & Magistrate Courts.
7. What is success to you?
I think it is being able to achieve your dream without external help which might be extra-legal, unjust, etc. I think self-made is the word.
I'm aware that no man is an island!
8. What are your future prospects, 10 years from now? Where do you see yourself?
I intend to put up a law firm or NGO, one that is litigation centered especially in the field of Public Interest Litigation and of course not leaving out other fields.
I see myself as a senior lawyer that's if I'm not called to the bench or politics etc.
9. How do you spend your free time?
I play the piano. I love music hence if I'm not playing the piano I'm listening to music, watching series, reading articles/journals, books/novels, or listening to songs.
Chilling with friends while discussing politics, and life journeys, and watching court proceedings(recorded).
10. Who is your role model?
Not one but many...I have role models from a number of aspects/fields.
In litigation; I have Senior Counsel Pheroze Norwejje, James Orengo, Nicholas T Ngcukaitobi, Victoria Mxenge, Bram Fischer, Counsel Nicholas Opiyo, Laudlas Rwakafuzi.
From the bench; CJ David Maraga, Justice K Kakuru, Justice H Wolayo, & Justice G Kanyeihamba Academia; Prof PLO Lumumba, Dr. Busingye Kabumba & Prof Joe Oloka Onyango.
Lastly in day-to-day life; I have Ellen G White, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi.
All these and many more have played an integral part in my life, and future career & have contributed to what I am, intend to & will become, not forgetting my mentor Counsel Elijah Enyimu.
Thank you.
Summing up
It is evident enough that Counsel Joel has a great enthusiasm for the Law, and the urge to make things better and also stand out from the rest.
I had much to learn! Great insights indeed!
Wishing you more of anything good.
Connect with Joel Jerry Walyono on Linked in.
Over to you!.
I hope you enjoyed the interview. Did you take a leaf out of Counsel Joel's book?
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.
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