BUDUDA: Pig Attack Survivor, Now S.6 Candidate, Dreams of Becoming a Lawyer
By Andrew Nakhaboya
BUDUDA
At just two months old, Amos Mukhwana was too young to understand the danger around him. But in 2004, a domestic pig dragged him from his bed and attacked him in a nearby banana plantation, leaving him with severe injuries to his left hand and leg.
More than two decades later, Mukhwana is preparing to complete Senior Six, with hopes of becoming a lawyer and defending the rights of persons with disabilities.
His journey from the childhood attack to advanced-level education has been marked by physical challenges, family hardship and loss. Yet, with determination and support from well-wishers, he has continued pursuing his dreams.
The attack
The ordeal began when Mukhwana’s mother left home to collect sand for smearing the family house, leaving him on a bed with his sibling, Simon Wamono.
One of the family’s pigs, which had recently farrowed and was reportedly searching for food, entered the house, pulled the infant from the bed and dragged him into a nearby banana plantation.
When his mother returned, she noticed that one of her children was missing. After searching around the house, she heard a baby crying from the plantation.
She rushed towards the sound and found the pig attacking her child. Her cries for help attracted Mukhwana’s grandfather, who hurried to the scene and chased the animal away. However, the infant had already sustained serious injuries.
The family later killed the pig and distributed its meat to people who wanted pork.
Mukhwana was rushed to Bududa Hospital before being referred to Mbale for specialised treatment. Despite efforts to save him, his left hand and leg could not be preserved.
A childhood rescued by kindness
Mukhwana says his parents separated after the incident, leaving him in the care of his grandmother.
His grandfather, who had been supporting him, died in 2013 when Mukhwana was nine years old. At the time, he had not yet started school, leaving his future uncertain.
However, a relative, Michael Wanditi Watalunga, who was married to his grandfather’s sister, stepped in after learning about his circumstances.
In 2013, Wanditi took him to Arlington Academy of Hope and secured him a place to begin primary education.
Mukhwana later received educational sponsorship from Robert Mackay, a philanthropist from the United States, which enabled him to continue studying despite financial challenges.
At the age of 15, he sat his Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), scoring 20 aggregates.
He joined Bukedea Comprehensive School for Senior One and Senior Two before transferring to Faith High School, where he completed Senior Three and Senior Four, obtaining result one.
He later returned to Bududa District and joined Hawthorne Scribner High School for Advanced Level education.
Turning pain into purpose
At Hawthorne Scribner, Mukhwana is pursuing Divinity, Entrepreneurship and Art with Information and Communication Technology (DEA/ICT).
He says he wants to become a lawyer to help persons with disabilities facing discrimination, oppression and neglect understand and defend their rights.
His ambition is also shaped by his personal experiences and concern for others. His longtime friend and classmate, Joseph Wabusa, who has studied with him since Primary One, describes him as disciplined and willing to correct fellow learners when they misbehave or disregard teachers’ instructions.
Wabusa says Mukhwana’s determination to defend vulnerable people grew stronger after he encountered people assaulting a person with a disability.
When he challenged them, they reportedly turned against him.
At school, Mukhwana has also earned the respect of his teachers.
Charles Lwanga Goberwze, the head teacher of Hawthorne Scribner High School and Mukhwana’s Entrepreneurship teacher, describes him as hardworking and sociable.
Goberwze says Mukhwana is keen on following up issues affecting him, particularly when he feels they have not been adequately addressed.
He expressed confidence that the student would perform well in his Senior Six examinations and eventually pursue law.
Mukhwana is among the school’s 2026 Senior Six candidates and is scheduled to sit his first Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) paper in Divinity on Wednesday 11th.
But as he prepares to complete secondary school, the cost of pursuing higher education and managing his disability remains a major concern.
Financial hurdles remain
Mukhwana says one of his biggest challenges is accessing an artificial leg, which costs approximately Shs2 million.
Because he is still growing, he says he needs a replacement almost every year to maintain proper balance and mobility. Without a suitable artificial limb, walking comfortably and carrying out everyday activities becomes difficult.
His education is another financial concern. He says his American sponsor covers 50 per cent of his school contribution, but he must raise the remaining half, which is sometimes difficult.
As the firstborn in a family with younger siblings, Mukhwana also worries about how he will support them in future.
Although determined to complete Senior Six, he fears that financial constraints could prevent him from pursuing a law degree. Even the long vacation after his examinations presents uncertainty, as he does not know how he will prepare for the next stage of his education.
A family connection still missing
Now 22, Mukhwana says he still longs for a closer relationship with his biological parents.
His mother travelled to Kenya to work as a domestic worker, while his attempts to communicate with his father have not received the attention he hopes for.
The absence of consistent parental support has added to his concerns about his future and the welfare of his younger siblings.
Mukhwana has appealed to the government to continue supporting persons with disabilities through its programmes, saying they deserve opportunities to live dignified and independent lives.
He has also questioned the responsiveness of district leadership, alleging that some support intended for persons with disabilities does not reach the intended beneficiaries.
A dream beyond survival
Despite the challenges, reaching Senior Six is a significant milestone for Mukhwana. He now hopes to secure the support needed to pursue a law degree, provide for his siblings and defend the rights of people whose voices are often ignored.
Uganda’s Persons with Disabilities Act, 2020, recognises the rights of persons with disabilities, including protection against discrimination and access to rehabilitation services and reasonable accommodation.
For Mukhwana, becoming a lawyer is more than a career ambition. It is an opportunity to turn his own experiences into a platform for defending others.
Having survived a childhood attack and overcome numerous obstacles to reach Senior Six, he is now looking beyond survival. His next challenge is finding the support to turn that ambition into reality.
