Pheona Wall: The Rule of Law in Turbulent Times

WHEN WOMEN IN LAW LEAD

Perspectives. Positionalities. Politics

When Women in Law Lead is a blog series using storytelling and legal narratives to showcase how African women in law and leadership are transforming legal institutions and contributing to justice, the rule of law, and women’s empowerment. In a round of engaging questions, we delve deeper into the perspectives, positionalities and politics of women’s leadership in law.

It is often recognized that times of trial and tribulation also create opportunities for unity and growth. When Ms. Pheona N. Wall became President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) in September 2020, Uganda had been grappling with a myriad of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic that broke out in March of that year. In addition to the disastrous effects the pandemic had on the country’s economy and other sectors, it also created a host of issues surrounding access to justice, especially for women. Cases of police brutality against female street vendors soared, and restricted movement through bans on public and private transport significantly limited women’s access to legal aid at a time when their rights were being greatly infringed upon. However, it is during these very times that the potential for unity and growth became most apparent.

Ms. Wall’s leadership steered the ULS toward ethical practice, uniting the Society under the singular goal of upholding the rule of law at a time when the country needed the stability of sound legal leadership to mitigate the chaos of a global pandemic and an upcoming election year. Her unwavering commitment to ethical practice reassured not only the Society but also the entire nation, establishing unity and order amidst disorder. How did Ms. Wall’s humanitarian approach to leadership establish unity and order amidst disorder? 

To answer this question, the Institute for African Women in Law, under its When Women in Law Lead project, chatted with Ms Wall. The illuminating interview is below. Read on to learn what inspired Ms. Wall’s leadership approach and the milestones in the great Uganda Law Society. 

IAWL: Briefly, please tell us who Pheona Nabasa Wall is and what inspires her.

PHEONA: I am a Christian, a daughter, sister, wife and a mother of three who also practices law and serves in various fields as a CEO, founder or board director. I am inspired by the need to add value to people's lives and to shine a light or give a platform to ethical leaders. She has always been guided by the calling of Proverbs 31:9 and the values of faithfulness, availability and teachability.

IAWL: How long did you serve as President of the Uganda Law Society, and what motivated you to run for office?

PHEONA: I served for two years, and I was motivated by the dire need for access to justice, the divisions in the Law Society and the need to steer the Law Society on a path of social transformation. 

IAWL: How would you rate the success of ULS before and after you took over the reins of leadership? 

PHEONA: I would confidently say we added a lot of value to the lives of lawyers, increased access to justice in the middle of a pandemic, and even were able to mobilize funds and build the ULS Home. The greatest achievement, though, was the cohesion that brought all lawyers from all divides together to fight for the rule of law, advocate against illegal detentions, observe our elections and create a task force to defend the indigents who were caught up in violating pandemic directives. 

IAWL: What would you classify as your topmost contribution as the leader of the ULS? 

PHEONA: I think the ULS House could be one, but during my time, we mentored and exposed a lot of young lawyers, some of whom are in charge of the law society right now. 

IAWL: What have been/was your other contributions as a leader of this organization? 

PHEONA: As VP before, I headed the Legal Aid Project, and we were able to grow our footprint from 11 to 23 clinics, establish an SGBV call center, and regionalize the pro bono day celebrations. As Honorary Secretary, I helped initiate governance reforms at the secretariat, such as streamlining communication, establishing committees and clusters to allow member participation, and ensuring that every Bill in parliament had an opinion from the Bar. 

IAWL: From your experience as a woman leader, what difference does having a woman at the topmost position at the ULS (and other legal organizations) make? 

PHEONA: Well, a body like ULS, whose mandate is to advise government and the state and increase access to justice, needs a servant leader who is willing to listen, engage stakeholders, speak courageously but also do the hard work of ensuring that the rule of law prevails. Women are sometimes more connected to the community and less prone to ego battles, so having women in these roles ensures inclusive and effective leadership. 

IAWL: From your experience as a leader of the Uganda Law Society, what are the main contributors to the success of a woman leader in the legal domain in Uganda? 

PHEONA: She needs to be committed to learning, disciplined and ethical, and she also needs to understand how to work with people from all walks of life.

IAWL: From your experience as a leader of the Uganda Law Society, what are the major challenges for a woman leader in the Ugandan legal domain?

PHEONA: One of the greatest challenges is that everyone will try to challenge you. Stereotypes also act as a stumbling block, and misogyny is ever-present in any corridor of power. The greatest danger, though, is handling the temptation to let the power get to your head! 

IAWL: From these challenges you have encountered as a woman leader, what would be your advice/recommendation(s) to other women ascending to leadership positions in Law? 

PHEONA: Build a team that will go with you and keep you humble, keep learning and skilling yourself, allow yourself to make mistakes, embrace feedback and sieve it, learn to manage stakeholders but, most of all, do not forget that you are a voice for the voiceless. Avoid lending your voice to vain or popular causes and keep it sacred for the sole purpose of pursuing justice for those who most need it and are most denied. 

CONCLUSION: Ms. Wall has led by example to show us what it looks like when a woman legal professional uses the rule of law to create positive societal change. At the heart of the legal profession is the call to provide justice for all and ensure that everyone’s human rights are equally ensured and protected. To be a woman leader in law is to recognize the unique opportunity one has to be of service to their community, especially those who are most vulnerable. A strong woman leader strives to make an impact with her work, keeping in mind that she always has more to learn and do.