Meet The Fellow

Meet Namugga Aisha from Uganda.

Namugga is currently placed at Earth and Rights Initiative for her practicum, an experience that has been deeply humbling for her. Until her practicum, Namugga believed that she would always get exactly what she wanted in her line of work, because her intentions were pure. Working alongside her mentor, Namugga has learnt to pick herself up when things do not go as planned; and to find alternative ways of working when she is met with roadblocks and challenges. This unlearning and relearning can be summed up in one phrase that Namugga’s mentor likes to tell her ‘Welcome to the real world!’

And so in this very real world, Namugga is working on a project that is close to her heart i.e. climate change. Namugga is challenging GM Sugar Limited in Njeru Municipality for the violation of the right to a clean and healthy environment. Namugga’s motivation to work on this project stems from a fear of the irreversible effects of climate change on her community. Namugga hopes to play her part in arresting the situation and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. She is working to raise awareness on the causes and effects of climate change to achieve social change. She would like to use her project case to set precedent on use of the law to curb environmental pollution in Uganda and the region.

Finally, underneath the robe and this passionate lawyer, lies a girl who lightens everyone’s mood. “I always find ways of making very serious things funny!” she says while describing herself.

Namugga, when plan A fails, may you remember there are 25 more letters in the (English) alphabet! The sky is not the limit, there are footprints on the moon. All the best, always!