“I want to make impact in communities wherever I am”
15 July 2024
A law student has helped inspire the next generation of law students and aims to continue making an impact on local communities throughout his career.
Arthur Ddamulira, from Kampala in Uganda, came to Cardiff in 2020 to study at the School of Law and Politics and graduates this week. Since coming to study at Cardiff University, he has become involved in a number of schemes and programmes to encourage students to study law and attend university, as well as being awarded the Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme.
Just a few weeks after arriving in the UK, Arthur joined the Pathways to Law programme, a voluntary scheme that aims to encourage all students regardless of their background to study law. He continued to take part in the programme throughout the entirety of his studies.
“In the Pathways to Law programme, we worked with sixth form students in Wales, focusing on engaging with students who may not see themselves as having access to a career in law - such as refugees, those from low income backgrounds and children from single parent families.
“I found taking part in the Pathways to Law programme incredibly fulfilling, because it was rewarding to help students to become informed and excited about the prospect of going to university and studying law,” said Arthur.
Arthur’s passion for improving student experience and providing a welcoming learning environment led him to become involved in student societies, as well as helping students settle into studying in Cardiff as part of the Residence Life team.
I had never been out of Uganda and I was nervous about settling in. My entire experience at Cardiff University was wonderful. The city is affordable and diverse, and I found it very welcoming. The student societies at Cardiff University really helped me settle in.
“I really wanted to give back and help new students feel welcomed when they arrive in Cardiff. So I started my own society, the Commercial Awareness Society, which aimed to help develop the employability skills of law students in first, second and third year. I have also been part of the Residence Life team, to support students when they are settling in to life in halls of residence, and help them feel at home when they start university,” added Arthur.
Arthur was an active member of the staff and student panel at the School of Law and Politics, playing an important role in assisting the school find the solutions to the challenges faced by staff and students during the pandemic.
In 2021, the law student was one of 13 students selected for the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme, which is designed to address the disproportionate under-representation of black men from less socially mobile backgrounds in large commercial law firms and other careers in the City of London.
Arthur said: “I was actually quite emotional when I found out that I had been selected for the scheme. It was very humbling and I was so grateful.
“None of it would have been possible without Cardiff University and the School of Law and Politics. Dr Fred Cram and Dr Rachel Cahil O’Callaghan, among many others, helped me beyond my studies and beyond the scholarship, they were a huge support to me during my time in Cardiff.
“Since finishing my degree, I have been continuing my work with Freshfields in their Dubai offices, working in their disputes practice. I aim to continue my career in practicing law, but also impacting communities wherever I am. I hope to continue to contribute to the Pathways to Law programme when I start work in London, as well as find causes that I can help with wherever my career takes me.
I want to make impact in communities wherever I am.
