Hello Sir/ Madam,
Greetings from Uganda.
My name is Andrew Gabula the founder and operator of URICT – Uganda, Joy Children’s Center, Janet grade primary School and URICT Safe Motherhood and Maternal Health Fund. I am a Social Worker, Educationalist, Women Activist and a Human Rights Defender. I wish to briefly share with you my story. A story I named, “I was raised by a woman”.
I was born and raised in a very poor stricken family in Kamuli Busoga Eastern Uganda. I was born to a very polygamous father, who married eight wives and several mistresses. I had no opportunity to attend kindergarten, just like other children from privileged families. Straight away, from grade one in a grass thatched primary school, the best my mother could afford. My father was a serial polygamist, a well done drunkard, an unforgiving abuser, who regularly flogged us with my many siblings. A day never passed without beating my mother or one of my step mothers or even the mistresses. Whatever little money Mom was making to pay us school fees and buy basic needs at home through labouring in people’s gardens, Dad could take it by force so that he can fund his alcohol addictions and prostitution. Life at home became so hostile so at the age of 12 my mother decided to take me to a catholic father at Kamuli Missionary to get help with my studies. Thank God the priest accepted to pay my school fees but then in the vacation of Form four Father Wyanda left the country. Again Mom had to look for another good Samaritan in the name of Father Kees Greenwood in Jinja at Rubaga Student centre who paid my fees for my form five and form six later he also left the country. Because people were seeing my love for Education my late brother Waiswa David picked interest in educating me. I joined Makerere University Business School where I pursued a degree in Human Resource Management. But in my second year at the university my brother died of HIV/AIDS. My sister Rose picked interest in educating me but before completing my second year again my sweet sister died on the way to hospital to give birth because of maternal health.
Being an innovative person I immediately got in touch with a friend who introduced me to the business of selling books so that I can pay my tuition and contribute some money towards educating my young brothers and sisters. So I applied for an evening program so that I can balance the two things.
The exposure I got, made me realise that millions of families in Uganda, are going through the same. In 2004 I made a decision, which made me put aside my personal interests and focus on my community to change lives for the better. I founded URICT – Uganda, an Organization which operates in Kamuli district focusing on Education & Skilling, Health & Care, Safe Motherhood & Maternal Health, Human Rights for all and Food security. The Organization works with and for Women/Girls from abusive relationships, single mothers including widows, orphaned and vulnerable children and skill-less youths.
I am reaching out to you, to explore if there might be any possible areas of partnership or strategic linkages. I am available for a zoom or phone meeting to further this discussion.
Thanks so much and Blessings
Andrew
