Shamim Malende, The Lawyer With Big Plans For Kampala!

According to Shamim Malende, having proper systems is the best strategy when it comes to efficient service delivery. The 34-year-old lawyer is standing for Woman Member of Parliament for Kampala district in the upcoming elections, a position she’s tussling out with her seniors both in age and experience. “When it comes to service delivery, we are looking at substance not age or experience,” she says.

Inspired by her own frustration with politicians who promise much and deliver little, Malende wants to lead a new guard of young people stepping up to create the change they desire.

What does change mean to you?

Change means having an alternative that is better than the status quo. Having better systems and when it comes to leadership; issues to do with respect of rule of law, democracy, respect for people’s rights, equal opportunities for all, without discrimination and wiping out nepotism, tribalism. Basically setting systems of governance that are favourable to all. Also ensuring that as human beings, all our rights are respected. It also means respect for our constitution. Change also means having leaders who are servants of their people and not vice versa. 

So to me, change means we must create a system where we have peaceful transition of power at all levels, from the level of President to the smallest positions at village level so that everyone is involved in the process of pursuing what they believe is better.

At what point did you choose to become an advocate for change?

My entire life I’ve been a force of change. When I see something that I believe isn’t going right, I do something about it. Actually, when I started out as an advocate, I always looked out for people who couldn’t afford lawyers’ fees, and decided to make a difference in their life. Much as I run a law firm that should be making profits, I choose to offer a lot of pro-bono services at my own volition by reaching out to people in need. This was even before I joined politics. 

Advocating for change is something that I have been doing all my life. When I joined the People Power movement also as a lawyer, I got even more opportunities to extend my pro-bono services to victims of political persecution and victims of injustices who cannot afford lawyers.

Being the advocate for change that I am, I realised that joining active politics would give even more opportunities to make change. You can’t even practice law freely because the system won’t let you. So many things must be changed. It is very important that I’m actively involved in bringing the change that I want to see in my country.

What are some of the notable court cases you’ve worked on?

Currently I have over 300 pro bono cases that I’ve handled, across the country. I’ve also successfully concluded some; for example there is a case that we filed at high court about the Kyarenga concert case, and we successfully concluded it. Court ruled that police had no right to stop Hon. Kyagulanyi from performing on stage, and we expect that by the end of COVID 19 he will be able to stage shows.

There’s also a case which was levied against Kampala boda riders. They were peaceful expressing their dissatisfaction about not being able to resume work, and then they were arrested. We managed to successfully get them out of prison and they are now living free. There’s also a case we had recently of the Bizonto Comedy Group, who were arrested. We had to run to their rescue. I had to ensure their release on police bond, and that case is still ongoing, but at least they are now out. There’s also Gerald Kiwewa, a musician, whose case I was involved in. We managed to secure his release on police bond.

There are also many other cases, but most of them are about violation of women’s rights, domestic issues and land rights. Most women come to me. I also help victims of political persecution. These are cases where, for example, you are found wearing a red beret, then they charge you for inciting violence. There are so many cases, over 300.. and others keep coming in.

You do a lot of pro-bono legal work, in your opinion, why is our legal system so commercialized and what can be done about this? 

Firstly, the legal system of Uganda needs a thorough clean up. We need to amend so many laws and end the bureaucracy that has plagued the system. The problem begins with the laws themselves. They don’t make it any easier for a litigant to get justice in time. There is that issue of money. Filing pleadings, people pay money, some people cannot afford to even pay the official assessment fees, so they end up looking for organizations that can help out and pay. And sometimes these organisations have a limited number of cases they are supposed to take on. Most Ugandans cannot access justice because of lack of funds, and they don’t know where to go because lawyers are expensive. 

I’d like to call upon my peers to take heart. Even if you are practicing for profit, do add a file or 3 for free, and God will bless you. We need to extend these services to our people. I have been involved in a number of state cases, where the government has defense lawyers who come and help people on capital offenses, but sometimes these people are forced to plead guilty to offenses they did not commit, just because there is no money and lawyers want to walk out of the cases. We need an overhaul. For example, why would you take a hawker to Luzira prison? Yes, they have been hawking on the streets which is illegal, but is it fair to take them to prison to mingle with thieves and murderers? 

You are getting into active politics. When did you get into your first leadership position and what lessons did you learn from it?

I have been a leader all my life. In primary school I was selected as the Head Girl of the school, I was also a Sanitary prefect. Interestingly I went into all those positions unopposed. In my Secondary School I was head of the History Class and Debate Club. Then I was selected as the Head of Religious Affairs at the school. Even then, I was elected unopposed. In A’ Level I was also a leader, I was the Head Girl, then I was the head of the Inter School Competitions. Still during my A’ Level, I was selected as the Vice Secretary of the Mbarara District Muslim Association.

When I joined Makerere University, I was appointed as the Vice President of the Muslim Association. I have been a leader all my life.

The biggest lesson I took from all those experiences is that; first and foremost voters believe politicians are liars who promise much and deliver little. I don’t take this lightly. Even in our leadership in the People Power movement, this is something we’re looking at critically. People want leaders who serve and lead by example. 

What then prompted you to want to join parliament?

I have been watching the politics of this country and feeling very ashamed, and awaiting an opportunity to see a generational transition. When Hon. Kyagulanyi became a symbol of change as he spoke against these same evils, it was like my light bulb had been switched on. Because of my vigilance and the work I was already doing, he appointed me Deputy Head of Legal in the People Power Movement.  Later on, I was encouraged to run for Woman MP Kampala. After mulling it over I decided to run for the position. Kampala needs fresh new voices, and I believe I suit that description.

Politics has the reputation of being dirty.  What keeps you motivated? 

What motivates me is the inspiration to change people’s lives. When I set out to study law I said to God that “I’m going to do law but if you help me make it, I’m going to use it to ensure that I touch people’s lives.” 

God helped me and I passed my degrees, I have gotten to all these positions because of Him. I might not be where I want to be yet, but I must fulfill the promise I made to Him. So that motivates me a lot. I have to use the opportunity God has given me to change lives.

Another thing, when I look at how politics is played like a dirty game, our generation is saying these are the things that need to change. We want to change the impression people have of politics. We want to practice substantial politics. Substantial politics means getting results for people, not playing tricks on them. Most of these dirty games happen because of people in power are so entitled. We want to change that system and end that.

There’s a time I joined Hon. Kyagulanyi as he went to perform at Busabala, and we were welcomed with barricades and teargas. There were gunshots everywhere. The same thing happened when I was returning my confirmation forms to stand as Woman MP to the People Power offices. These are some things that give me more reason to fight for change. We need to freely exercise our civil and political rights.

Who are some of your mentors?

Of course, I have so many mentors, but I’ll start with my parents, my dad Jamal Ahmed Sebuta Malende and my mother Jalia Nassuna. They have really mentored me because, as a child, they didn’t tire from teaching me to how to deal with respect people. They instilled some values in me that I still hold on to today.

There are also politicians I look up to, like Hon. Winnie Kizza, of course I cannot forget her name. The Speaker of Parliament. Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, she’s a huge inspiration to me. 
Of course I cannot fail to mention Hon. Kyagulanyi, he is the reason I was inspired to join the politics.

What are your plans for Kampala city?

My major plan is to see that everyone can access substantial justice. I realised that when the justice system is working, things move swiftly. The most important thing about the justice system is changing the laws. 

I’m also looking at involving all stakeholders, if you’re working on a policy affecting, for instance the transport sector, involve the people in the sector! Of course there are issues affecting women and girls. I’m very passionate about them too. They have special needs that must be looked at. The street vendors, the girls who drop out of school. We must create programs which cater to their needs. 

You’re standing against women who are way older and more experienced than you. Doesn’t this intimidate you?

No, like I said, when it comes to service delivery, we are looking at substance more than anything else. When we are looking out for a candidate to represent Kampala women in parliament, we have to consider the issues affecting women in Kampala and who is suited to address them. I have my country at heart, so I believe I’m the best candidate. That’s why I’m not shaken by them. I respect them very much and acknowledge that they have contributed to this country, but I’m putting my country first. I know I’m going to trounce them!

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Photographed by Mark Bwiire  of Soul Image Art

Makeup by Adrian Kamara of Makeup by Kamara

Creative Direction by Sam Isingoma

This story is part of ‘Woman of the Month’, a series celebrating women who are brave in their stance, a collaboration between Kai’s Divo Collection, Sam Isingoma,Makeup by Kamara, Natna Natural Hair, Satisfashion UG and Soul Image Art.