Written by Ronald Washi, CROSO Scholar

My name is Washi Ronald, a lawyer by profession, and holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Laws from Islamic University In Uganda and an undergraduate Diploma in Law from Law Development Center, and currently waiting for my post graduate legal practice certificate results from Law Development Center.

The impact CROSO has made in my life need no explanation. I dare say that without CROSO scholarship in my life, I would have been a nobody without hope for bright future.

I was helped by Child Restoration Outreach (CRO) from primary to secondary school. However there was no funds to take me to the university just like so many other former street kids at CRO project who lack funds to push them to the university after their high school level. CROSO has played an exceptional role in my academic life. It's because of CROSO scholarship that I have managed to pursue a legal career and it has drastically changed me from grass to grace, from a street kid to a lawyer and an advocate in making.

Because of CROSO scholarship, I managed to achieve my dream of saving my father from the gallows. He was sentenced to death in 2004 and sent on death row until 15 of November 2019 when he was exonerated by the Supreme Court and was set free. This was my effort with the help of big government officials. Through connections I made while at the university, I managed to get the contact of the then minister of justice and constitutional affairs Rt. MJ. Gen. Kihinda Otafire, whom I explained the fate of my father who was unfairly and illegally convicted and sentenced to death in 2004. He was touched and commenced the investigations in the matter and appointed lawyers to process his appeal to the supreme court and eventually the supreme court found him innocent but wrongly convicted and put on death row due to incompetencies and corruption in our judicial system. The highest court on the land ordered for his immediate release on 15th November 2019.

That victory is attributed to CROSO because it gave me an opportunity to study my dream course with the goal of helping my father find justice and regain his freedom. I consider myself a successful man for fulfilling my dream of becoming a lawyer to help my father out of incarceration. This has been achieved due to the big role played by CROSO in my academic journey.

CROSO has not only helped me in academic journey but in many various ways for instance, the funds they give me, especially the pocket money and feeding, I use some of it however little it could be to help my father who is now out of prison with no any help, my siblings and my mother who is in internally displaced camp (IDP) camp in Kiryandongo where she was relocated from Bududa to the IDP camp due to landslides phenomenal in 2010.

CROSO has also made me to be looked at as an important person with a bright and admirable future in the community. Nobody believes that I was once a street kid with no hope for a bright future. CROSO has played a tremendous contribution towards the transformation of my life.

Ronald’s graduation from Islamic University in Uganda with his bachelor’s degree

My future plan when I graduate at the Bar Course:

I have always dreamed of being a judicial officer in order to administer justice in fair terms. However, I have learnt that good judges have always been spoiled by bad judicial systems. In order to fight against corruption and ensuring the adherence to the rule of law, I have a big plan of opening up my law chambers and represent the oppressed people in our country, and world over.

I know that this plan may take some longer time. However in the interim, I will look for a law firm and work for some time under a senior Advocate as I learn the techniques of running a private law firm. I believe opening my own law firm will enable me to represent the unprivileged but oppressed people freely.contribution towards the transformation of my life.

Scholar Spotlight: Washi Ronald