By Amos Thembo
Just like exams at all levels were released this month of August, August 6, 2019 is still fresh in mind with the story of Henry Kiyimba Suubi, a student who was admitted to study Bachelor of Science in Education on government sponsorship. He reported to Makerere University (MUK) with an empty metallic case and Nylon bag that surprised and attracted the attention of a student who took a picture of him and posted it to social media platforms. This post made news and attracted a lot of positive reactions and sympathizers of Suubi. Much as the student who posted Suubi’s vulnerability thought was mocking him, his mockery turned into a blessing in disguise. Philanthropists brought Suubi a lot of property including iPhone 7, a laptop, suitcase, beddings, clothes and money. He was also offered a new course in mechanical engineering which was his dream course, thus more with us than against us.
Many rural children and students have their dreams killed because their challenges are never brought to limelight like Suubi’s case. The vulnerability of their parents do not allow them make progress in education thus early marriages, pregnancies, drug abuse and early school dropout. Much as our Right to Education project registered improved results of pupils in Primary Living Examinations (PLE) in Bulembia Division, Kilembe, and Mbunga sub counties, their hope to continue with school seems shattered.
We met with Kabugho Rita (14years) who benefited from our project in March 2021, completed from Mbunga Primary School and told us what young girls go through in rural areas.
“My name is Kabugho Ritah. As a young girl, I go through many challenges. When I ask for things like sanitary towels and other requirements at school, my parents say that they do not have money. This makes me allow gifts and money from boys who say they will marry me. Like my elder two sisters, my only soft and safe landing is marriage”
Like Rita, many other girls from rural areas fail to make it to their next level of education after primary seven because they do not have sufficient support to start and sustain them.
A Picture Showing Henry Kiyimba Suubi at Makerere University Hall, 2019
