Kids interview Justice James Ogoola
Mar 28, 2008
Preyansh Kaushik, 9, Steven Mukasa, 11 and Michelle Osiro, 7, from Aga Khan Primary School interviewed Justice James Ogoola, the Principal Judge, at his chambers in the High Court. <br><br>Osiro: Which schools did you attend?<br>I went to Lumimo Primary School in Busia district, Nabumali High Sch
Preyansh Kaushik, 9, Steven Mukasa, 11 and Michelle Osiro, 7, from Aga Khan Primary School interviewed Justice James Ogoola, the Principal Judge, at his chambers in the High Court.
Osiro: Which schools did you attend?
I went to Lumimo Primary School in Busia district, Nabumali High School in Mbale, King’s College Budo and the University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.
Kaushik: Which case has been the hardest for you?
It was a case between two sisters suing each other over property. They are both very sick. I had to judge people who were very sick and from the same family. Luckily, the evidence and the law showed that these people should share the property equally. This case reminded me of King Solomon.
Mukasa: When did you become a judge?
I became a judge 10 years ago.
Mukasa: Was this the job you wanted to do when you were young?
I did not know that there were judges. But when I was in Budo, I began hearing about judges and law. I decided to go to Dar-es-Salaam and read law.
Kaushik: Why do judges wear cotton wool coverings on their heads?
They are called wigs. The wig is actually a symbol of wisdom and respect.
Kaushik: Do you love wearing your wig?
Not really. When I wear it, I feel very hot and I sweat.
Kaushik: Can’t you pass a law to abolish them?
Yes we can do that. In fact, at the COMESA court for justice where I am judge, we refused to wear the gowns and wigs. We wear a robe with the colours of the COMESA countries.
Osiro: What does one have to do to become a Judge?
You have to work very hard in school, pass your exams, go to university and study law. You have to practise law by representing people in court then maybe the Government may appoint you as a judge.
Kaushik: How many children do you have and do they want to be like you?
I have five children. All of them are adults and they have refused to become judges. I would have wanted at least one to be like me.
Mukasa: Have you ever been afraid that you may pass a judgment that might affect someone?
Yes. When you are judging cases you worry.
Osiro: Do you feel sorry for the people you sentence?
Yes. There are some who I do not feel much sympathy for but there are some who commit crimes out of ignorance or by mistake and when they lose the case, I feel sorry for them. The law says they must be punished, but then you know that they did not intend to commit the crime.
Kaushik: What do you like most about your job?
I like solving problems without people fighting each other. I help bring peace and harmony in the society.
Mukasa: What do you do in your free time?
I have very little free time but when I do, I translate the Bible from English to my mother tongue, Lusamya. I also write poetry. I have a collection of poetry for children entitled “Children of Paradise†and “Songs of Paradise†for the adults. They are not published.
Kaushik: How much do judges earn?
Judges earn very little compared to the work they do. I think judges should earn what is sufficient to keep them from temptation. Not too much, not too little.
Kaushik: Have you ever been bribed?
No. Somebody tried to bribe me but I refused. They wanted to give me money for a ‘soda’ but I did not accept it.
Osiro: How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who did his best in difficult conditions, remained honest, true to his calling and profession when things were not easy.
Kaushik: What don’t you like about your job and why?
There is too much work. We work from morning to evening solving people’s problems.
Mukasa: Are you also a judge at home?
I try not to be. My wife always tells me that home is not a court.
Kaushik: What did you do in your childhood?
I was too small to dig in the garden so my parents made me baby-sit my kid sister. I also played a lot with other children in the neighbourhood.
Osiro: What advice do you have for children?
Be good children. Obey and listen to your parents because they are there to guide you and make the best out of you.
Osiro: Which schools did you attend?
I went to Lumimo Primary School in Busia district, Nabumali High School in Mbale, King’s College Budo and the University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.
Kaushik: Which case has been the hardest for you?
It was a case between two sisters suing each other over property. They are both very sick. I had to judge people who were very sick and from the same family. Luckily, the evidence and the law showed that these people should share the property equally. This case reminded me of King Solomon.
Mukasa: When did you become a judge?
I became a judge 10 years ago.
Mukasa: Was this the job you wanted to do when you were young?
I did not know that there were judges. But when I was in Budo, I began hearing about judges and law. I decided to go to Dar-es-Salaam and read law.
Kaushik: Why do judges wear cotton wool coverings on their heads?
They are called wigs. The wig is actually a symbol of wisdom and respect.
Kaushik: Do you love wearing your wig?
Not really. When I wear it, I feel very hot and I sweat.
Kaushik: Can’t you pass a law to abolish them?
Yes we can do that. In fact, at the COMESA court for justice where I am judge, we refused to wear the gowns and wigs. We wear a robe with the colours of the COMESA countries.
Osiro: What does one have to do to become a Judge?
You have to work very hard in school, pass your exams, go to university and study law. You have to practise law by representing people in court then maybe the Government may appoint you as a judge.
Kaushik: How many children do you have and do they want to be like you?
I have five children. All of them are adults and they have refused to become judges. I would have wanted at least one to be like me.
Mukasa: Have you ever been afraid that you may pass a judgment that might affect someone?
Yes. When you are judging cases you worry.
Osiro: Do you feel sorry for the people you sentence?
Yes. There are some who I do not feel much sympathy for but there are some who commit crimes out of ignorance or by mistake and when they lose the case, I feel sorry for them. The law says they must be punished, but then you know that they did not intend to commit the crime.
Kaushik: What do you like most about your job?
I like solving problems without people fighting each other. I help bring peace and harmony in the society.
Mukasa: What do you do in your free time?
I have very little free time but when I do, I translate the Bible from English to my mother tongue, Lusamya. I also write poetry. I have a collection of poetry for children entitled “Children of Paradise†and “Songs of Paradise†for the adults. They are not published.
Kaushik: How much do judges earn?
Judges earn very little compared to the work they do. I think judges should earn what is sufficient to keep them from temptation. Not too much, not too little.
Kaushik: Have you ever been bribed?
No. Somebody tried to bribe me but I refused. They wanted to give me money for a ‘soda’ but I did not accept it.
Osiro: How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who did his best in difficult conditions, remained honest, true to his calling and profession when things were not easy.
Kaushik: What don’t you like about your job and why?
There is too much work. We work from morning to evening solving people’s problems.
Mukasa: Are you also a judge at home?
I try not to be. My wife always tells me that home is not a court.
Kaushik: What did you do in your childhood?
I was too small to dig in the garden so my parents made me baby-sit my kid sister. I also played a lot with other children in the neighbourhood.
Osiro: What advice do you have for children?
Be good children. Obey and listen to your parents because they are there to guide you and make the best out of you.