An Adventure Story by Counsel Kenneth Tumukunde

Counsel Kenneth Tumukunde, a man whose life revolved around the solemn corridors of justice and the weighty pronouncements of the bench, was about to face his most challenging case yet: a journey to the wild, untamed East. His days were typically a meticulous dance of legal briefs, cross-examinations, and the occasional, deeply satisfying win. But on August 1st, 2025, a different kind of summons arrived—one that promised no billable hours, no closing arguments, and a severe lack of mahogany paneling. It was a trip to Sipi Falls, and his colleagues from Mbarara, Rubirizi, Kasese, Fort Portal, Ibanda, and Kampala had already assembled a legal team of adventurers. We met Counsel Kenneth and here we bring to you the Adventure tells of the advocate.

The expedition began under the cloak of night, a clandestine operation launched from Mbarara City. Our first stop, however, was a scene straight out of a food-truck-themed mystery. The “crime scene” was Namawojoro, a roadside haven of culinary delights. The accused? An array of enticing roadside delicacies. The victims? Our stomachs. The evidence was a smorgasbord of Rolex (a popular Ugandan street food), roasted maize, Goat Muchomo, Plantain and other unnamed, yet delicious, street food. Myself, ever the meticulous documentarian, captured photographic evidence with my co-counsel, including a surprisingly well-traveled one-year-old, “Baby White,” who was a silent witness to the entire affair.

The next stop, the majestic Jinja Nile Bridge, was a scene straight out of a high-stakes thriller, where we captured more photographic evidence. The majestic Jinja Bridge stood as a fortress of legal and military order, a stark contrast to the wild adventure that awaited. As our expedition approached, the air of solemnity was palpable, a feeling not unlike entering a hallowed courtroom. Here, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces served as the ultimate security detail, their presence a powerful reminder of the nation’s law and order. Nearby, the traffic police checkpoint acted as a final legal arbiter, ensuring all travelers were in compliance with the rules of the road before granting them passage. This confluence of military and civil authority transformed the bridge into more than just a crossing; it became a symbol of the state’s watchful eye, a solemn prelude to the free-spirited chaos that lay beyond its steel arches.

The Teryet-Kapchorwa Kiprotich Stadium became our next courtroom, where we exchanged our serious demeanor for a spirited game of chase. Tracy and Harriet, my trusted travel buddies, acted as character witnesses for the prosecution—the prosecution of boredom, that is. The act of running transforms into a symbolic legal battleground. The track is the courtroom, a precisely measured space where every stride is a motion filed and every lap a round of cross-examination. The “complainant” and “defense” lawyers, represented by the runners, are locked in a relentless legal duel. One runner, acting as the plaintiff, pushes for victory with every ounce of their being, making a compelling case for their speed and endurance. The other, the defense, attempts to counter every move, using tactical positioning and a well-timed burst of energy to argue against the plaintiff’s supremacy. The “judge” in this scenario is the ticking clock, and the “verdict” is the final placement at the finish line. There are no objections, only the physical exertion and mental fortitude that make for an indisputable final judgment.

But the true test came at the Sipi Falls, the ultimate “pièce de résistance.” Here, with my fellow adventurers, Fenakansi, Harriet, and Tracy, faced a vertical challenge: abseiling. With the legal precedent of “safety first” firmly in mind, we descended the sheer cliff face, a thrilling departure from descending a courtroom’s grand staircase.

Sipi Falls is more than just a beautiful cascade of water; it’s a living, breathing school of natural law. Here, the laws of physics are the ultimate statutes, governing the relentless descent of water with an unyielding force that no human court could ever overturn. Gravity, the chief justice of this court, presides over every drop, ensuring its adherence to the path of least resistance. The rock formations, sculpted by millennia of erosion, are case files detailing the precedents of water’s power over matter. The ecosystem that thrives around the falls is a complex legal system of its own, with predators and prey engaged in a continuous cycle of life and death, all governed by the immutable laws of survival. The vibrant flora and fauna serve as living exhibits, testifying to nature’s ability to adapt and find loopholes in its own harsh rules. For any lawyer, Sipi is a humbling lesson in the supremacy of natural order and the futility of arguing with a force of nature.

Later, a serene boat cruise on the Nile served as a meditation on the fundamental separation of powers—in this case, the river from Lake Victoria. The boat cruise to the Source of the Nile, far from being a serene escape, felt more like a legal transport of a different kind—a slow, deliberate procession of convicts to a far-flung penal colony. The vessel, packed with a motley crew of weary travelers, groaned under its load, its rhythmic chugging a monotonous echo of a long sentence. As we neared the destination, the separation of the turbulent river from the calm lake seemed less a natural wonder and more a stark boundary between freedom and incarceration. The air, heavy with the humid scent of the water, felt thick and claustrophobic, and at one moment, the collective silence of the passengers resembled the somber resignation of those awaiting their fate. It was a journey of no return, where we were all complicit in a shared fate, marooned on a watery expanse with no escape. The only thing missing was the warden, replaced by the stoic captain, who steered us inexorably toward our destination.

The final leg of our journey, the Busowoko Water Falls, was a chaotic, yet refreshing, scene of water-based “torture” and “civil disobedience.” As the water massaged my weary muscles, I realized this wasn’t just a trip; it was a legal and personal paradigm shift. Busowoko Falls, served as the court of appeal’s ultimate judgment, a definitive and overwhelming conclusion to our expedition. The cascading water, far from being a gentle stream, felt like the irrefutable pronouncements of a higher court, washing away all previous arguments and minor disputes. The “water massaging” was akin to the relentless, undeniable force of a final ruling, leaving no room for further debate or appeal. Tubing through the rapids became the acceptance of the verdict, a surrender to the inevitable flow of consequences, exhilarating yet absolute. All the preceding adventures—the culinary “crime scene” at Namawojoro, the photographic “evidence” at Jinja, the “legal battle” on the Teryet track—culminated here, in a powerful, undeniable, and utterly refreshing declaration of the journey’s success.

The Verdict: Benefits of an Adventure for a Lawyer

For a lawyer, an adventure like this isn’t just a break—it’s a form of professional development.

• Renewed Perspective: The relentless pursuit of justice can be mentally taxing. Stepping away from the office allows a lawyer to recharge their mental batteries, returning with a fresh perspective and renewed focus.
• Team Building: A shared adventure builds a different kind of rapport than a shared case. It fosters trust and camaraderie that can be invaluable in a professional setting, making it easier to collaborate and support each other.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Navigating unfamiliar terrain or overcoming a physical challenge, like abseiling, requires quick thinking and resourcefulness. This can enhance a lawyer’s ability to think on their feet and find creative solutions to complex legal problems.
• The Pursuit of Happiness: While a successful case brings professional satisfaction, an adventure reminds a lawyer of the importance of personal well-being and the pursuit of happiness. It’s a vital counter-balance to a demanding career.

Lessons from the Trail: Adventures in Legal Ethics

This expedition also offered several lessons that translate seamlessly into a lawyer’s professional and personal life.

• The Open Heart Doctrine: Just as in a courtroom where you must be open to different perspectives, a journey like this requires an open heart to both give and receive care. You must be willing to help a fellow traveler and also accept their help in return.
• Admissibility of Evidence: On an adventure, you must be a keen observer. Every photo, every conversation, every feeling becomes admissible evidence of a life well-lived. Don’t be so caught up in the details of the journey that you miss the big picture.
• Due Diligence: Just as a lawyer must meticulously prepare for a case, a traveler must do their due diligence before embarking on an adventure. You need to know where you’re going, what to expect, and who you’re traveling with.
• The Statute of Limitations: Don’t let life pass you by. There is a statute of limitations on a fulfilling life, and it’s called old age. Make time for these adventures before the opportunity passes.

Your Summons to Adventure!

To all my fellow lawyers, I hereby issue a formal invitation. The court of life demands your presence. Put down that legal brief, close that case file, and trade your robes for hiking boots. The benefits are clear: a renewed spirit, stronger bonds, and a fresh perspective that will make you a better lawyer and, more importantly, a more fulfilled person. Don’t let your professional life be your only closing argument. Answer the call of adventure and find your own “pièce de résistance.” Your next great case awaits, and it won’t be found in a courtroom.