By Our Reporter
SERERE
The tradition of communal child-rearing and the education of non-biological children—a practice steeped in the Iteso philosophy of Ubuntu and kinship—has notably diminished over time. Historically, extended families and entire villages took on the responsibility of nurturing and schooling children, but shifting socioeconomic conditions have disrupted this practice.
In the wake of tragic incidents where several individuals drowned in Lake Kyoga and others succumbed to Bilharzia and various diseases in Serere District, many orphans have been left without hope for their education.
Amid this dire situation, Francis Okwii, a 56-year-old former zonal chairperson of Kabulabula Catholic Church, felt compelled to act in 2023. Struck by the pain of these children’s plight, Okwii—a father of 13—sought ways to support these vulnerable young lives. Inspired by a vision, he began fundraising efforts during burials, at churches, and through personal outreach, appealing for contributions to help educate orphans.
At funerals, he presents an orphan to mourners and requests their assistance in raising funds for the child’s education. This approach has proven effective; Okwii often collects over 300,000 shillings per burial, enough to cover a full term’s school fees at local village schools.
Thanks to this initiative, in 2024, he successfully enrolled four students at Kadungulu SS, with others attending Kagwara Seed SS. His primary goal has been to raise educational standards to ensure these children can secure jobs that will benefit their families, clans, and the broader community in future.
As the number of orphans under his care grew—surpassing 30—Okwii reached out to the district woman MP, Esther Lucy Achom, for additional support. She responded positively, assisting in the education of 24 children at Kadungulu SS and Kagwara Seed SS.
Okwii has successfully secured sponsorship from private primary schools for nearly 100 pupils, with some attending institutions like Good Friends PS, Lake View, Go-standard, and God’s Glory within Serere.
This vision has earned him a name Epapero lo itunga (a people’s friend) that he is well known with in Kasilo county.
“I have no aspirations of entering politics; my focus is on ensuring that vulnerable children receive an education equal to that of their more privileged peers,” he stated on Wednesday August 5th, 2026.
Okwii encourages MPs and all compassionate individuals to seek out and educate the most vulnerable members of their communities, not just their biological children. He believes that such actions will drive the nation’s development forward.
Okwii is joined in his mission by George Oriokot, the headteacher at Kyere SS in Kyere sub-county. Recognizing that his school serves over 100 vulnerable learners, the board of governors and the parent-teacher association initiated a program to sponsor more than 50 students who show promise in sports and academics.
“We were overwhelmed by the number of learners facing difficulties, including those orphaned, living in poverty, or leading child-headed households. We even found ourselves creating sports scholarships for students not traditionally inclined towards sports, simply because they plead for help with school fees,” Oriokot shared.
He expressed gratitude for MP Achom’s support, which has helped fund approximately 20 students from his school alone, all from Kyere sub-county and Town Council, within her first 100 days in office.
Daniel Oluka, a resident of Apapai village in Kadungulu Sub County, conveyed the community’s struggles regarding their most vulnerable children, expressing their appreciation for Okwii and MP Achom’s commitment to supporting their education.
John Paul Opit, the district councilor for Kyere sub-county, commended headteacher Oriokot for his genuine dedication to education. He noted that Oriokot goes above and beyond by welcoming underprivileged students into his home to support their studies—a rare quality among headteachers.
Meanwhile, MP Achom has taken significant steps by sponsoring nearly 100 of the most disadvantaged children through her Achom Education Foundation. However, school managers across the district have indicated that many schools continue to face challenges in supporting these vulnerable children.
Simon Peter Odongo, a founding member of Atiira Seed SS and former district councilor of Atiira Sub County, expressed that selfishness and poverty, along with excessive alcohol consumption, are hindering the education of children across various clans, but he urged the Achom Education Foundation to mobilize support for vulnerable children, believing it will enhance the district’s academic performance.
Vicky Aigi Ecaku, a student in S.2 at Kadungulu SS, faced a challenging path after losing her father to hepatitis B in 2020. She was on the brink of staying home after completing S.1 when Okwii stepped in, helping to raise funds during a funeral, ensuring she could keep pursuing her education until MP Achom provided support this year.
Abraham Magado, also an S.2 student at Kadungulu SS, experienced a tragic loss in 2013 when his father was brutally attacked. Following this, his mother worked hard to cover his fees from Primary 1 to 7. Okwii assisted by raising additional funds for his S.1 during funerals events at Iruko parish, and eventually, MP Achom took over the responsibility for his school fees.
Esther Lydia Icici, an orphan from Kagwara Seed SS, shared her journey, noting that without Okwii’s help, she wouldn’t have made it to S.2. She lost her father in 2013 while in Primary Two and struggled through hard labor in gardens to reach P.7. Now, with support from MP Achom, she is hopeful for her future. However, as a girl, she seeks assistance for personal necessities like sanitary pads.
Stella Tino, a senior one student at Kyere SS, has faced her share of difficulties. After her parents separated when she was three, she ended up working as a housemaid following her completion of P.7. It was only after expressing her struggles to the headteacher that she found support for her education, eventually leading MP to step in and assist her further.
Justine Ikara, a S.3 student at Pingire SS, has had a turbulent journey since his parents separated in October 2025. With his father passing away, he has faced significant challenges, even resorting to fishing to afford school fees.
Esther Aguti, a S.2 student at Pingire SS, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to continue her education despite her hardships. Since losing her mother in 2018, coupled with her father’s poor health, she has found it difficult to pursue her studies.
Betty Namanja, a parent from Ogonyo 1 village in Kidetok Town Council, voiced her appreciation for MP Achom’s efforts to support vulnerable families and urged her to continue this important work. She also called for improvements in local water access, road conditions, and health services.
Benard Ogundi Omedo, headteacher of Ojetenyang Seed SS in Kateta Sub County, stated that the financial assistance for vulnerable learners will finally allow them to focus on their education, significantly improving the district’s educational standards.
Rev. Charles Olupot, parish priest of Atiira Church in Uganda, urged wealthy individuals to invest in the education of vulnerable children to create a supportive community, sharing his own experiences of assisting many, with some now serving in the police and army while others pursue technical studies.
MP Achom has committed to advancing her agenda aimed at enhancing education, healthcare, water access, and road infrastructure among others, all for the benefit of her constituency and the broader community in Uganda.
