Kimbowa Elected Education Minister

Kimbowa, whom the students call “Obama” because of his oratory skills, was elected Education Minister at Seeta High Schoo. He gathered 70% of the votes against two competitors. “The students liked him most because he is composed and smart. He voluntarily led prayers before the campign, so the students were familiar with him,” says Sanyu, his L.E.A.D Uganda sister.

PHOTO: Kimbowa’s campaign poster

Kimbowa transfered to Seeta High after getting a 1st grade on his 11th Grade / “O” Level National Exams. He was Head Prefect (Student Body President) at his former school. He chose to run for Education Minister, rather than Head Prefect so he could concentrate on his studies. Kimbowa hopes to earn a Government Sponsorship to university next year.

An email from last year: “It is such a great excitement to me to write to you again. How have you been since we last spoke?

Just to let you know about what I have been up to this term in school. I am now in my final year in ‘O’ level (11th grade). I have just handed over my office as the school’s Head Prefect. I have to do this because I need to concentrate on my studies and score highly on my final exams at the end of the year.

I am proud of my service to my school as its Head Prefect. In my time as head prefect, I managed to improve on the discipline of the students.  Being Head Prefect enhanced my public speaking skill. Before, I was a very shy student.

This term we had an exhibition at school with the theme ‘Maximize Your Potential’. It was aimed at helping my school, the community and our dear parents and guardians to create opportunities from locally available resources like grass, trees, land, and animals. 32 clubs were involved including; the Agriculture, Red Cross, Debate, and Art Clubs. My club demonstrated how to make shoe polish from old, used up batteries. We also made banana ice cream, soap, and tea from dried and pounded lemon. We gave the parents a little taste of what we produced: tea made from lemon skin, crushed jackfruit seeds and cocoa seeds. You should have been there. You missed!

I oversaw the whole program. I supervised my fellow students. I showed them how to explain what was going on to the visiting parents. You know, I was dressed like a laboratory attendant!  I really enjoyed the appearance, though my friends were amused. I can tell you that all went well according to plan. It was a great day.

Thank everyone for their help keeping me in school. Their support has really helped me to ascend to great heights. To be a club president is no small feat for me. I can not forget that before I was a child worker, making and selling envelopes for pills. I was out of school. Now I am becoming a leader.

I will work very hard so that I make you proud of me by scoring excellent grades. I now need to sign off. I must attend my biology class.

I covet your prayers, Kimbowa