BY ZALIMON BASIGHALHA (GOOD LUCK)
Ian Smith, a student at Standard High School – Nyamwamba in Kasese town who would frequently be chased from school over his guardian’s failure to pay his school fees has been assured of completing education.
Smith, is a son of the Late Ainea Walemba who was killed on November 26, 2016 during a joint security operation of the UPDF and police on the Buhikira Royal Palace in Kasese town that left scores of people dead and the subsequent arrest of the Rwenzururu King, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma and a section of his Royal Guards.
However, in June last year, the Omusinga and his co-accused persons regained their freedom after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) dropped the charges of murder, attempted murder, treason and aggravated robbery among other counts that had been slapped against them.
Now, Smith who is currently in Senior One and lives with his grandmother in Kanyangeya Main Cell, Kanyangeya Ward of Nyamwamba Division of Kasese Municipality is among the 45 children who will be supported and given a full bursary by a Good Samaritan, Ms Hellen Petronilla Masika, the Deputy Executive Director at the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC).
Speaking in a jovial mood, Smooth is happy that he will be able to complete his studies.
Janet Musoki, a young girl is another person that the Deputy Executive Director at the MSC will support after dropping out of school in Senior Three following the death of her father during the attack.
According to her, after the death of her father, all her siblings and their mother started living a dog’s life.
Accompanied by the widows and guardians, the duo narrated their stories during an interaction with Ms Hellen Petronilla Masika at her country home in Rukooki Cell, Nyamwamba Division.
The widows and guardians under their umbrella organization dubbed “Kasese Widows (Abakwakali) Group” based in Kasese Municipality with a membership of 38 people narrated to Ms Masika that they were passing through hard situations following the demise of their husbands during the attack.
Hailing from different parts of Kasese district, the widows revealed that they decided to form an association with an aim of bringing their colleagues together as well as forging a way of boosting the livelihoods of their families both economically and socially.
Peace Kabugho, a widow and mother to Smooth, who is the association’s Chairperson, commended Ms Hellen Petronilla Masika for her educational support to the disadvantaged children.
Jetrida Biira, another widow narrated that her children had dropped out of school. She happily stressed that she had regained hope that her children would complete their studies with support from Masika.
Asked by the why she decided to help the widows and their orphans, Masika noted that she felt it wise to give back to her community as well as returning thanks to God who has always been on her side.
She also said that she was determined to supporting Girl Child Education in Kasese district and the entire Rwenzori sub-region after realizing that the rate at which girls are dropping out of schools is alarming. She pledged for more scholarships and donating reusable sanitary pads to the girl child. ENDS