The judge who preaches justice through songs

How did you start singing?
I have been singing in church and at home. But my first song came out when I was celebrating my 50th birthday. It was a coincidence that I was also celebrating my appointment as High Court judge. We had planned to celebrate my birthday in style because not many people get to celebrate 50 years in style and here I was with an elevation to the level of High Court judge. It is a dream of every judicial officer at the lower bench to be elevated. So when my turn came, I was happy and that is how Mukama Nkwebaza Ntya (How can I thank you God) came up. I was thanking God for enabling me become a judge and for the gift of another birthday.
So when I hosted friends and family to a thanksgiving dinner at Hotel Africana, I did not bring any artistes instead I broke out in song. And since then, I have been recording songs.

And how many songs have you recorded so far?
I have three. My first song is Mukama Nkwebaze Ntya, which I followed with Papa Wefe in Lugisu, my mother tongue and the third one is Not Judging For Man, which I recorded specifically for judicial officers, at the different levels, to remind them of their divine mandate. We take a judicial oath to administer justice to all so this is a reminder that God is always with us.

What is the inspiration behind your songs?
All my songs are drawn from experiences. Along the journey, I faced challenges. There were times when I got unjustified complaints against me. But God was always there to vindicate me. There was no other way I could thank him for his goodness, that is why I sing. For Not Judging For Man, it is a reminder to judges to seek God’s guidance when deciding cases. The song is just delivering a message. God hates bribery, partiality and injustice.

Breaking out at 50, wasn’t that rather late?
I wanted to do something to show that I was grateful to God for all he has been in my life. That opportunity presented itself when I was 50 and I was excited and it was an expression to everyone of how grateful I am to God. But before that, I was an active performer who took part in drama at my church.

Should we expect an album launch soon?
As a judicial officer at the level of a High Court judge, you do not mix freely with everyone. As such, I have not formally launched my songs but I hope with changing times, I will be allowed to launch. I will seek permission and have a restricted audience to avoid being misunderstood by different members of the public.

Sounds like plan. Does that mean you intend to sing for a while?
I am also preparing for retirement. I do not want to retire and feel idle. There are people who are used to routine office work. I want to continue serving the Lord. I have always had a passion for the arts. At Jubilee Church, I was once the chairperson of the women’s ministry. And we used to do skits as well as sing. Although I was never in the choir we used to be active in fellowship.

Do you have a song writer?
No, I do not. I compose my own songs and ask for God’s grace to be articulate while ministering.

So, do we see you turning into a professional musician in the near future?
I am not a professional musician. I do not know the keys so I sing my way. I just hit the studio and we get the beat and off we roll. I’m working on my fourth song and it is almost done.

Apart from being a judicial officer and a singer, how best would you describe yourself?
I wear many hats. I’m a proud mother of five, one daughter and four sons and a grandmother of two. But outside that setting, I’m a mother to many. I have authored many books and I’m also a pastor. I fellowship from Jubilee Christian Church in Bweyogerere and we have also planted a church in my village called Busano Christian Centre. Many people plant churches in town and forget the villages yet the harvest there is plentiful. The people in the countryside have a passion for God and only need to be steered in the right direction. I’m also a visiting pastor at Tororo Pentecostal Church, that is the church where I got salvation from. When I go there, the house always gets full.

Your hands are quite full. How do you strike a balance?
There is a way judges are perceived and there are things we are not even supposed to do. But even King David in the Bible danced. So I do not put restrictions on God.
If you do not come out boldly, the office of judge can suffocate talent because of the restrictions the office comes with.

You said you are an author as well, tell us about that.
Well, I have written two books and the third is in the pipeline. The first one is Biblical Principles of Love and Be Aware. The third will be the Seat of God. I’m almost done.

When do you do the writing?
I write the books at night because that is the only time I can access my laptop. The scriptural references in my books are revealed to me by God. I’m optimistic that the third book will improve the administration of justice.

Speaking of justice, what do other judicial officers think about your music?
They have been very receptive. Some of them find it amazing that I can come out boldly. If I mobilised for a choir, I’m sure I would get many on board because there are judges with good voices. There are judges like the Resident Judge of Mbale High Court circuit who is a bishop.

Do you think your music has made any impact?
I believe it has. I made 500 CDs for my songs and they sold out. I’m now making new CDs. A friend wanted to use one of my songs as her caller tune, but I did not even know how to get that done. Many judicial officers have come out to thank me for the song about justice. In fact, the outgoing Judicial Service Commission chairperson, Justice James Ogoola, said he was impressed with my budding talent.
Like in Gulu, some people have approached me for CDs, unfortunately, I have none since I made very few. The head of International Justice Mission told me that after listening to my music, he could not connect the songs to the judge.

So, you are pastor in Gulu as well?
I do not own a church. Actually, I’m a pastor without a church. However, we (believers and her) are in advanced stages of completing a church in the village.

Will you be headlining at events?
I think I will be singing where I feel I should. This is not for commercial purposes. But if I’m in a place and I’m requested to sing I will but within the inner circles. That said, my songs are not for fun or entertainment, they are simply a message. I pray that God will continue to give me strength so that I continue singing for him until Jesus comes back.

Anything you are working on at the moment?
Not really. I did not take things for granted. I prayed and sought God both for the music and the elevation. My appointment was divine because I neither knew the appointing authority nor did he know me. Very soon I will be releasing another song and still it will be related to the administration of justice. I decided to do something about delivery of justice because when you are a judicial officer, different parties look at you as an arbiter and a symbol of impartiality. Each one of us has a role we play in the administration of justice.

So, how do you nurture your young music career when you are away in Gulu?
I usually sing at Full Harvest Church where I fellowship. I sing before ministering the word. However, Not Judging For Man is regularly played on Mega FM since it is in English and most Acholi understand the language.

What makes you smile?
When I make a difference in someone’s life that makes my heart melt. I will deny myself some things just to make an impact in someone else’s life.

Quick notes
Songs on her CD: Nkwebaza ntya Mukama? Papa wefe, Not judging for man
Offuse muwanguzi – A song a friend sang for her when she was appointed High Court judge
Her books: Biblical principles of love, Be Aware
Lady Justice Mutonyi in a nutshell: I will make 52 on June 1 and I’m a proud mother and grandmother. I live for integrity and want to make a difference in the life of others.
Typical day: I exercise; stretch and skip a rope. I dance and jog but have failed to do push-ups. By 8am I am in court and sometimes I break off for lunch but usually I leave court by 5pm.
Favourite meal: Sweet potatoes and pumpkin leaves mixed with groundnut paste.
Cannot live without: Serving God.
Writing books at night: I do not want to cheat the government by using normal working hours to do personal work.
Open secret: Litigants in Gulu refer to me as the smiling judge.
Fun: I do not go out but I read the Bible and discuss with my boys. I used to watch telenovellas but stopped because they were not adding value to my life. I do charity work. (She takes care of several children she met while doing judicial work or preaching missions)
Striking a balance between work and other responsibilities: It takes God’s grace
About marriage: That is the ideal relationship to raise a family but when it is not possible to have it, trusting and leaning on God is the best relationship.
Culinary skills: I do not do a lot of cooking and laundry, but once in a while I fix breakfast for my sons