As the country’s top leadership converged at Parliament earlier this month for the launch of the Year of Judiciary, Chief Justice Sam Rugege paid tribute to a certain man in the audience.

Rugege told the fully-packed House that Fedele Bazihana, 66, had been awarded an honorary position as president of the primary court, by the Superior Council of the Judiciary, following his retirement after after 40 years on the bench.

Bazihana became the first Rwandan to get this kind of recognition.

"I am happy that my role in the Rwandan judiciary has been recognised,” he told The New Times at his home in Muhoza Sector, Musanze District last week.

He had served as a judge for several years before being appointed president at the primary court level where he went on to head different courts. His last posting was Muhoza Primary Court in Musanze District.

After his retirement last year, his 40 years on the bench did not go unnoticed and the Superior Council of the Judiciary decided to make him an honorary primary court president because of his distinguished service.

He will hold the title of the president of the primary court and will participate in all events involving judges, despite his retirement.

Bazihana started his career as a judge in 1972 after obtaining a diploma from a law school in Nyanza, Southern Province.

The father of five says his career kicked off at a time when the justice sector had so many challenges and required someone with dedication.

"There were no professional lawyers at that time, some were appointed after completing primary education and others were high school drop outs,” he says

After he completed secondary school in natural sciences (Mathematics, Physics and Biology), he was selected among people who could be groomed as future lawyers.

"We were supposed to study for three years but we ended up doing two-and-ahalf as there was an acute demand for lawyers,” he says.

Humble difference

Bazihana says that initially, things were not easy for many of his colleagues since they were put on the bench right from school with no practicing skills.

It was hard to do a good job, he says, adding that some judges were corrupt while many others lacked the requisite skills.

But for him, it was the opposite. He says he relied on his determination to natural wisdom to offer equitable justice.

"I was always curious to have a good understanding of the laws of the land. I always made sure the decision I made was backed by law. It was my personal secret,” he says.

"I was a Christian and knew from the Bible that all powers come from God and I kept it in mind that it would be a sin to abuse the powers God had bestowed upon me,” he said.

Bazihana says corruption was rampant during that time as some judges dispensed justice  based on emotions and material gain.

 "We encountered various challenges as judges, corruption was practiced in the open, it was quite fashionable,” he says.

"I always wanted to be exemplary. I vowed to offer the best service to the community and this won me respect from the public,” he adds.

He said some leaders could order him to adjudicate a case in a certain way but he stood his ground.

"I stood for justice and never feared anyone. I refused to take orders and eventually, everyone got to know that I was incorruptible,” he says.

These values, he says, helped keep him on the bench, even after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Bazihana says he has throughout his career, spanning nearly half a century, never subscribed to any political party.

The veteran judge says the country’s justice sector has significantly improved over the last two decades.

"It has developed tremendously. Judges are aware of punitive measures against whoever is caught in the wrong,” he says, adding that this has further  been boosted by the professionalisation of the judiciary.

"Anti-corruption measures in courts, like in other sectors, were taken and made clear, every judge knows the consequences of breach of professional ethics,” he adds.

Achievements

Ever since he started working as a judge, Bazihana solely depended on his salary and used it to raise and educate his children.

Three of them have since graduated from university while two others are still pursuing university studies. He was also able to construct a house and owns several plots of land.

"I thank God for who I am and I do not regret that I never made riches from my position as a judge. God will reward me,” he says.

What next?

Bazihana completed a law course at the former University of Rwanda a few years ago but he is yet to graduate.

"I was unable to submit my dissertation on time because of the workload I had. But I am going to submit it. I hope I will graduate next year, and after graduation, I will either be an independent advocate or a court bailiff,” he says.

Humble man

Olivier Bukasi Kazungu, a judge at Muhoza Primary Court, described Bazihana as a humble and hardworking man who respects everyone.

"He is exemplary, we learnt a lot from him. He never took sides in court and always stood for the truth,” Kazungu said.

Bazihana’s advice to judges is to observe ethics, be professional and always derive satisfaction from the remuneration they get, saying that no salary will ever be enough for a human being.