📸 Retired judge Tumwesigye writes, launches book about his life

KAMPALA - Retired Supreme Court judge Jotham Tumwesigye has written a book in which he shares his extraordinary journey and life through the changing times.

The book titled “My Life Through Changing Times-A legacy of Purpose and National Devotion” talks about the retired judge’s early life, right from his humble background as a son of a catechist in Rukungiri district in Western Uganda to Uganda’s judicial helm, the Supreme Court. 

After his primary education, Jotham, as he was fondly referred to during his early life, joined Ntare School in Mbarara, which he describes as a turning point in his journey.

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo (C), retired judge Jotham Tumwesigye (R), and Frank Kabushenga during Tumwesigye's book launch at Golf Course Hotel on Tuesday. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Tumwesigye said he had mooted the idea of writing a book about his life many years back but got derailed because of his busy schedule. 

He later joined Makerere University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1974. He served in various places before he went into exile in Kenya during the Idi Amin era.

On his return after Amin’s government was overthrown, he joined the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, where he served in various capacities, up to the time he was appointed the Inspector General of Government. 

In 2009, he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court until his retirement in December 2019.

Former premier Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and former ethics minister Miria Matembe.

During the launch of the book at the Golf Course Hotel on Tuesday evening, Tumwesigye, who was flanked by his wife Rose Tumwesigye, said he had mooted the idea of writing a book about his life many years back but got derailed because of his busy schedule. 

“It wasn't until recently, when I attended a book launch of my friend, that I linked up with the publisher, Frank Kabushenga, who has helped to complete and publish this book,” he told the guests, who included his childhood friends and schoolmates, lawyers, and colleagues.

The function was attended by the Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, who was the guest of honour, his deputy Flavian Zeija, judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and magistrates.

Others included former prime minister and comrade, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, former ministers Sam Kutesa, Eng John Nasasira, Miria Matembe, Rtd Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, among others.

Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo described Tumwesigye as a man made of steel, quiet and humble, but beneath all lies his strength.

Former premier Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda remarks.

The function was also attended by Tumwesigye’s children, including Andrew Tumwesigye, Nunu Tumwesigye Mbonye and Stella Keshubi, who all described him as a loving and caring father.   

A Muhororo by tribe, Tumwesigye told his guests that he would ever be grateful to the East African Revival, which was a Christian renewal movement that was critical in his life’s journey. 

“If my parents had not embraced the revival, I would not be here. My parents embraced it even before they got married to each other, and that was the reason they married,” he said, adding that they eventually became strong balokole (born-again) Christians and used the new acquired values and principles to educate him and his siblings.

“I cannot express the depth of my gratitude to the East African Revival. It brought me to where I am; my parents sacrificed everything they had, not only for me but for my siblings as well,” he said, adding that he dedicated pages in his book to all his past life.

In the book, he vividly describes his early life experience, including starting his primary education wearing only a long T-shirt without underwear, to emphasise his humble background.

“And when I joined Makerere University, we were getting a lot of money called “Boom” (refers to the allowance or stipend that was historically provided to students, particularly those on government sponsorship), and many students enjoyed the allowances but I remembered where I had come from, and I decided to send my allowance to my father to educate the young siblings,” he explained.

“The book is not about me; it is about the changing times. And I realized the changing times when I was at Ntare School, it was a wonderful school, the best in Uganda, it really molded me, academically and politically,” he stated, citing his former teacher in Senior Five who introduced to the class former Tanzanian president, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s book, ‘Education for Self-Reliance’.

He said he read the book and it shaped his concept about education, which he believes is about giving service to the country, rather than looking for material gain.

He commended former UN Under-Secretary General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu, who attended the function, for appointing him as his vice when he was elected guild president. 

It was during this time that he gained leadership skills, moving to different countries as a Pan-Africanist to represent the guild.  

Tumwesigye said he was happy to finally retire from service, even after a two-year special contract. But before his retirement, he explained, he spearheaded the enactment of the Judiciary Administration Act that ensures that when judicial officers retire, they get decent terminal benefits.

“I would like to suggest that judges get insurance packages, because the terminal benefits are not enough to cater for serious illnesses that retirees acquire due to advanced age,” he said. 

Owiny-Dollo described Tumwesigye as a man made of steel, quiet and humble, but beneath all lies his strength. He asked all eminent Ugandans to emulate Tumwesigye and write down their history.

He also suggested the formation of think-tanks for the country’s elderly, so that they sit under a ‘tree’ like their ancestors and brainstorm about the country’s history.

“All senior people owe it to shape our country. Children are dominating and are everywhere on social media when the elders are mum,” he said.

He said elders can help to shape many critical issues if they sit together to resolve conflicts and offer peaceful resolutions, which he said the judiciary was promoting in the African Justice System.

“Nobody owns Uganda than the other; we own Uganda in equal measure,” he said.

He admired Tumwesigye’s humble background, saying that many high-ranking figures in the country came from poor and peasant families. 

“That is why we are never corrupt,” he said, and urged Ugandans to develop a culture of reading all the memoirs written by elders.

The book was reviewed by senior counsel, David Mpanga.

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The book titled “My Life Through Changing Times-A legacy of Purpose and National Devotion”, talking about the retired judge’s early life, right from his humble background as a son of a catechist in Rukungiri district was launched on Tuesday at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala, and below as som of the picture highlights from the function as captured by Multimedia journaist Eddie Ssejjoba;