According to Bigirimana, the award is a validation of his belief that devoted attention to duty always attracts unexpected and heartwarming rewards.
“This award is a well-timed and refreshing energiser to my work. In fact, I had applied to undertake a PhD by research at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Little did I know that this meritorious PhD was on the doorsteps. I am humbled that the nomination team took the time to study my life. I am even more humbled that, after that study, they believed I deserve to be awarded this PhD. I pledge to continue building and working for a better Uganda, Africa and the world at large. I hope to do this award justice in the continued service of humanity,” he said in his acceptance speech.
Bigirimana is credited with the implementation of the digitized court case management and the use of video conferencing for court trials. It has minimised the risk of direct interaction between judicial officers and their clients thereby lowering the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
It also has the knock-on advantage of creating a level playing space where the processes of court are seen from the same vantage point by all involved parties. Meanwhile, he has further widened medical insurance cover for all judiciary officers.
“In a sense, all this fall under aspects of re-tooling and re-contextualisation that is necessary for effective performance in a Covid-19 threatened workspace,” he said.
“A leader ought to demonstrate foresight of the future even in the most challenging environment by harnessing adverse predicaments for innovative intervention.
A leader must demonstrate that he understands the challenges and limitations of his followers. This is practically demonstrated by addressing their work tools and psycho-social environment. In the Judiciary of Uganda, we have had to improve on computer equipment and transport to enable judicial officers visit the locus, in the case of land adjudication.”