‘I buried my head in books’ – LDC’s best student

‘I buried my head in books’ – LDC’s best student

What you need to know:

Charlotte Katuutu was recently awarded a post-graduate diploma in legal practice after emerging as the overall best. She opens up on what it took for her to pass her LDC examinations.

Many people who have gone through Law Development Centre (LDC) will tell you that studying at the institution is not just a walk in the park.

And one of those former LDC students with similar thoughts is Charlotte Katuutu who graduated on April 21, 2017. Not only was she awarded a post-graduate diploma in legal practice; she also emerged as the best overall with an average mark of 70.95. Her excellent performance came with an award signed by the Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe as well as a certificate.

Katuutu enrolled for the post-graduate diploma in legal practice at LDC in September 2015 and completed in August 2016.
On how her studies were like, she responds, “Things were tough. I was constantly under pressure and stress.”

“There was so much work to do and yet so little time,” she adds.
The programme, a daytime one, comprised classes running from morning to evening hours.

“It was like a rollercoaster ride. There were classes and assignments, week in and week out,” she says, adding, “Even on weekends and public holidays, I would not rest. I had to maximise such times for doing personal research and reading. I buried myself in books.”

The early morning hours (when it was all quiet and peaceful) were also convenient for her to do her reading. The bond she created with other students at the institute also helped especially when it came to discussions.

On the question of what kind of subjects she studied while at LDC, Katuutu responds there were several including core subjects such as criminal proceedings, civil proceedings, family law and practice, land transactions and commercial transactions.
LDC is charged with legal training, research and law reform and legal publications, among other obligations and is the only institution in the country that passes out lawyers with a post-graduate diploma in legal practice.

Life before LDC

Charlotte Katuutu during an interview with Daily Monitor Website. Photo by Colleb Mugume


Before joining LDC, it is always mandatory for students to sit for a pre-entry examination that often determines if they qualify to enroll for the post-graduate diploma at LDC.
But just like the studies at LDC, the pre-entry examination was no joke either. Katuutu did a lot of preparation for it as well.
“I had a tendency of going to the library at LDC and using the conducive quiet environment there for reading,” she says, adding, “Also, I would frequently consult other students who have previously sat for these examinations. I would ask them for tips on how to pass and on some occasions, ask for notes to read.”

Right after senior six, Katuutu did a diploma in law from LDC (2008 to 2009) before enrolling for a Bachelor of Laws (2011 to 2015) from Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) where she emerged the best student after scoring a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.33.

Sacrifices made
As a result of the commitment, dedication and focus she directed into her studies, Katuutu had to resign her job at Tal Autos, a company dealing in importation of both new and used vehicles where she was working as an administrator.

“Life was a little tougher after quitting work. Now, I had to depend on my family to provide me with certain essentials including money for transport to and from school,” she says.
With the job out of the way, Katuutu toned down on her social life as well so as to keep school as her main priority.
“I preferred staying in-doors reading instead of going to attend any parties,” she says.

On occasions where she was neither studying nor attending a function, Katuutu would stay home to look after her daughter, now aged two years.

The time she wanted out


One time, Katuutu felt like opting out of the course after feeling stressed out.

“I was failing to understand how a course like law could be really that draining. I was tired and wanted out,” she says.
But before Katuutu made the final decision of bowing out, she called up her mother, Angelique Rusoke Nyakato, informing her of the pending resolution she was about to make. Rather than siding with her daughter on her decision to leave LDC, Nyakato instead encouraged her to hang in there since she only had a few more months to finish the course.

“She called me up almost on a daily basis cheering me up and giving me a countdown of the days I was remaining to finish up the course,” she says.

Katuutu persevered on because of her mother’s uplifting words.

What inspired her to study law?
At a tender age, Katuutu always dreamt of becoming someone who would fight for people’s rights and solve their issues.
“The passion has always been there from childhood. It’s a great feeling now that I am doing law,” she says.

As opposed to being argumentative and talkative, Katuutu says remarkable lawyers have to listen more than they talk. “By doing this, the lawyer gives well-thought out solutions to clients,” she says.

To other girls pursuing law, Katuutu advises them to always have the right attitude towards studies and work extremely hard.
“That is how you will pass,” she says, adding, “Even when things are very tough, you have to hang in there. Give it your all and leave the rest to God.”

Currently, the 28-year-old works as a legal assistant at Kibeedi and Co Advocates. She is in the process of acquiring her practicing license, a legal document required for one to conduct any activity as a lawyer.

Utility:

Family and education background
Charlotte Katuutu was born in 1988 at Virika hospital, Fort Portal. She was singlehandley raised by Angelique Rusoke Nyakato, a businesswoman. Katuutu has two siblings, a brother aged 17 years and a sister aged seven years.

Education
She completed primary seven from Tooro Boarding Primary School, Kabarole in 2001. Then, she finished senior four from Nyakasura School, Kabarole in 2005 and completed senior six from Kitante Hill School in 2007. Right after senior six, she did a diploma in law from LDC (2008 to 2009) before proceeding to study a Bachelor of Laws degree (2011 to 2015) from Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Kampala campus. She enrolled for a post-graduate diploma in legal practice at LDC in September 2015 and completed graduated in April 21, 2017.
ENDS.