On September 12, the Ugandan Law Society elected Diana Angwech as Vice President of the Society for the year 2020-2021. Diana is a social and also very God fearing lady who has served in many leadership capacities in church and other spheres too.
We had a chat with her to get a bit in on her life story and her plans for the Society in general.
Hello Diana, tell us about yourself; your life before this new position.
My name is Diana Angwech. I am significantly over 18 years and somewhere on the third level. I studied at Kitante Primary school and then I went to Gayaza High school for my O’level and St. Lawrence for my A’level.
I did my Bachelor’s degree in law at Makerere University and did my diploma in legal practice at LDC. I have a number of certificates from several courses that I have done since then. I have been practicing law since 2009 and I currently work with Shonubi Musoke and Co advocates and I am the head of business development at the firm.
Besides that, I am in a number of leadership positions at my church; All Saints Cathedral Nakasereo, I am the general secretary of a number of organisations, I sit on the board of Abode family centre in Jinja, I do so many things.
So, you decided to stand for Vice President of the ULS and eventually won, how do you think that came through?
Firstly, I attribute it to God because all this would not have been possible without Him.
I am actually the outgoing chairperson for the Youth Lawyer Association and I sat on the committee for East African Young lawyers as well so I have experience working with the society so maybe that was an advantage that I had.
Having worked with young lawyers before, how are you going to use your position to see to it that young lawyers have better pay and that they do not do the donkey work at law firms?
Firstly, I do not think lawyers should not despise where they start from. I mean, we all get to start from somewhere even if it means doing the donkey work.
I feel that’s the experience that the young lawyers get, even when I was doing those small jobs especially during internship.
It makes you appreciate the people that you will eventually work with. For instance, I used to be sent to the land registry and normally that is work for the clerks but after that experience, I got to appreciate the work that clerks do.
There is more to being a lawyer than just actually practicing law, there are those small things that you get to learn along the way that are not taught in class but they help the lawyers to become better people.
About the pay, unfortunately there is freedom of contract and most law firms are business oriented so we cannot exactly say that they will pay the young lawyers but rather I believe as a society we can encourage, advocate and award firms that are pro-lawyers.
I was able to launch a mentorship programme during my term that enables young lawyers to get in touch with senior lawyers so that they learn things that are not taught in class and also get someone to hold their hands, inspire and guide them.
Why do you think many law students fail to join LDC and some even fail to graduate out of LDC?
Honestly, there is no formula to LDC but it is a training ground because it is very intense and there is an overflow of information so you need to be on your feet all the time.
It also prepares you on the two positions in law and how to defend your clients on whichever side that you are on.
The end goal is to come out with the title of Counsel. So, as much as people fail, there is a good number that also passes otherwise we would not have lawyers in Uganda today.
So, what is your plan for the ULS with your new role?
The VP of ULS has two roles, to deputize and to head the Legal Aid and Pro bono department. I hope to increase access to justice on every level.
We also need to have the government contribute to what Legal Aid looks like in this country because it is being politicised and we need to mainstream it.
Judges should be able to say that everyone in court should have a lawyer present for representation. We see these things in movies but they should be able to happen for every Ugandan as well. Access to justice affects every single thing in the country because if someone is wrongly evicted, they go onto the street, their source of living is affected and the cycle goes on and on.
I hope that during my term this is something we will work towards.
Lastly, where do we see Diana in the next couple of years?
I hope to still be in leadership in whatever sphere, transforming the lives of women and youth through mentorship programs and creating platforms for others to succeed.
I hope to continue championing activities that foster access to justice for all.
