Phionah
Transforming a Broken Dream into a Life of Purpose
From a young age, Phionah dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but when she applied to study law at Makerere University she did not pass the pre-entry exam. At twenty-two she was arrested, charged, and sentenced to five years in prison, entering the justice system feeling hopeless and ashamed. Yet prison became the unexpected place where her dream was restored.
While serving her sentence, Phionah enrolled in the University of London law degree programme through Justice Defenders. The classroom inside prison gave her a second chance to pursue the career she had once believed was beyond reach. She describes this opportunity as a blessing in disguise, one that helped her rebuild her confidence, validate her sense of worth, and discover her ability to serve others.
Over five years, she completed her LLB while working as a paralegal, supporting women to understand their cases, draft documents, and navigate a system that often labels people according to their past mistakes. Her legal training allowed her to transform lives inside the prison community, empowering others to stand before the courts with dignity.
On the day of her release, Phionah walked out with her law degree in hand, ready to pursue her long-held ambition and prove that change is possible even in the most difficult circumstances. She credits Justice Defenders with helping her see life through a new lens and giving her the chance to build a future grounded in justice and hope.
