By Eriah Lule
Arthurton Kukundakwe lost both of his parents when he was just two years old and was taken in by his uncle Zaddock and wife Irene Tumuhimbise. Growing up in their care provided a nurturing and secure environment for him to pursue his dreams, culminating in his current position as the State Attorney of Nakaseke District in Central Uganda.
As per the Humanist Global Charity blog, Uganda has a staggering statistic where one in seven children is an orphan. The situation is dire as these children are left with little to no hope, and in some cases, even the small possessions left behind by their deceased parents are taken away by their extended family or acquaintances.
Raised in such an environment, Kukundakwe made a solemn commitment to champion the cause of the vulnerable, particularly orphans and widows, who lack the means to defend themselves.
Retrieving his admission letter in 2008 was a momentous occasion that left an indelible mark on his life. He recalls feeling that he had embarked on a quest for justice and was willing to make any sacrifice to achieve it.
“During my time at UCU, I found myself reading with even greater intensity than I did while studying at the Law Development Center (LDC),” he remarked.
In 2013, upon completing his studies at the Law Development Center (LDC), he returned to Ruuganika & Co. Advocates, where he had previously interned. After a year, he received an invitation from a former LDC lecturer who had established this law firm, and he joined as the first advocate.
“I became the inaugural advocate at the firm, albeit without a practicing certificate, yet I represented our clients with conviction,” he recounted. “My boss’s unwavering trust in me served as a catalyst for my success in the legal profession.”
Of all the court appearances he has made, one that remains vivid in Kukundakwe’s memory is the legal battle with the Uganda Revenue Authority, a case he emerged victorious in despite his relative inexperience.
Throughout his career, he predominantly dealt with civil cases while working with various law firms. However, one day, he received an unexpected phone call from a friend who requested that he retrieve an appointment letter from the Ministry of Public Service for a job he had previously applied for and seemingly forgotten about.
“Having seen an advertisement in the newspaper six months prior, which was seeking to recruit state attorneys, I had applied and undergone the interview process, but I didn’t receive any feedback, so I resumed my normal routine,” he recounted. “Nevertheless, my boss provided unwavering support and urged me to pursue the opportunity whenever I sensed a window of opportunity.”
In 2015, he was assigned to Kanungu District, located in western Uganda. His primary obstacle was that his previous experience was largely in civil law, and now he had to transition to criminal prosecution. Therefore, Kukundakwe requested a week of time from his senior attorney, as he was acclimating to the new terrain.
After spending three days in court solely as an observer, Kukundakwe vividly remembers the events of the fourth day. He was seated next to his senior, as usual, but briefly the senior excused himself to take a phone call and subsequently did not return to his seat.
“When the judge called upon the prosecutors to present their case, I was the sole remaining attorney,” he recalled. “Without hesitation, I rose to the occasion and presented our arguments, which ultimately led to a favorable verdict.” However, my senior mentor refrained from accompanying me to court thereafter and urged me to hone my skills further.”
After serving as a State Attorney in Kanungu District for three years, Kukundakwe was then transferred to Masindi District in the mid-western region, where he served for over three years. Subsequently, he was assigned to Kibaale District in the western region for more than a year before eventually relocating to Nakaseke District in the central region, where he currently serves.
While working in Masindi, Kukundakwe prosecuted a case involving child-to-child sexual activity that was not explicitly addressed in the constitution or penal code. Despite these challenges, he successfully argued the case, and the court subsequently established a significant legal precedent. Kukundakwe’s contribution added to the legal profession’s body of knowledge.
The School of Law’s Dean, Dr. Peter Mutesasira, is proud to have equipped its students with diverse perspectives on life. Many of the school’s alumni have gained recognition both locally and globally for their exceptional service.
“The School of Law aims to provide a well-rounded education to its students, as encapsulated in UCU’s theme statement. “The school takes pride in the recognition its alumni receive for their outstanding service to society.”
Kukundakwe was appointed as the General Secretary of the Uganda Association of Prosecutors in December 2022. As part of his efforts to promote the role of prosecutors in Uganda, he has advocated for better working conditions and welfare for prosecutors, seeking government intervention.
Many people thought prosecutors were bad people, but they didn’t realize it was a crucial link between the police and the judiciary, according to John (not his real name). The court can’t function without us.
“Kukundakwe has made us and our roles known to the public, as well as the challenges that we face while executing our jobs,” he said. “We even had strikes like other professionals, and luckily the government responded to our demands.”
According to him, his job requires him to interact with the common people, especially the vulnerable, and over time he has done what he could in his power to help them get justice in all the regions he has worked in.
“With my job, you make a lot of friends as well as enemies,” he explained, adding that “every case is very sensitive because it will have a positive or negative impact on a person.”
Background
Kukundakwe is the only child of the late Enock and Hope Turyatunga, born in Kabale District in the country’s Western Region.
He has been married to Dorcus Kukndakwe for five years. Apart from office work, Kukundakwe is a commercial maize farmer, a job he has been passionate about since childhood.
