Academic
2010
6 of our 8 students taking their National 7th grade Primary Leaving Examinations received 1st grades or A’s; 2 received high 2nd grades or B+s.
1st Grade – 6 students: A+: Amos and Edward, A: Rahim, Kalungi, and Innocent, A-: Martha
Second Grade – 2 students: B+: Ojok and Shirat
All eight of our students were admitted to top high schools.
Amos: A+ / 1st Grade: 5 aggregates – Admitted to Namugongo
Amos received a score of 5. He was the best in his school. Amos, who lives in Kitgum and is orphaned by the war in the north had one of the highest scores of children from his war-torn rural district. The newspaper came to Amos’ school to interview his teachers for a story about Amos. Amos was admitted into high school at the Namugongo, one of Uganda’s top schools.
Edward – A+ / 1st Grade: 6 aggregates – Going to Namugongo
Edward is a double orphan who lives in a Kampala slum. He has been in and out of school due to money problems. He applied to L.E.A.D Uganda last year. Monica told him if he did well on his 7th grade PLE exam, we would take him. He studied hard and did spendidly. Edward was admitted to Namugongo, one of Uganda’s top high schools.
Edward is a hard worker. He is persistent. Even though we told him we could not decide until after the exam results were in, he come by our office two or three times a week during his school break to wash dishes and clean the compound. That is the attitude we look for in students: determination and a willingness to help. We are delighted he has joined our family.
See how all our 7th graders did:
2010 National Exam Results – PLE – 7th Grade
(Ugandan Score Rating: 4 – 12 is a 1st grade or A. 13 – 22 is 2nd grade or B. 23 – 29 is 3rd grade or C. 30 – 36 is 4th grade or F.)
6 of 9 L.E.A.D Uganda students earned A’s on their national 11th grade UPE exams. 3 got B’s.
A’s – 1st Grades
Moses Kusasira got 21. Musa Ssekanjako got 25. Nokrach Isaac got 25. Madina Nantongo got 26. Joseph Kibalama got 27. Tony Ogwang got 31.
(Ugandan UPE scoring: 8 – 32 is a 1st grade. 33 – 48 is a 2nd grade)
Left: Moses Kusasira in 2000. Right: Moses today
See how all our 11th graders did:
2010 National Exam Results – UPE – 11th Grade
11 out of 15 of our primary students received A grades on their mid-term reports.
5 received A-plus grades. 4 earned A marks. 2 got A-minuses. Half are new students who came from low performing, village schools.
L.E.A.D Uganda has more students in top schools than any other NGO in Uganda.
What other NGO takes kids with these traumas and backgrounds and turns them into scholars and leaders?
Our Students Publish Web Magazine
The goal of this magazine is to give you a chance to learn about Uganda through stories, poems, and opinions written by the students of L.E.A.D Uganda.
L.E.A.D Magazine – Student produced web magazine
Ntege graduates from the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, one of Africa’s top high schools.
Ntege, who worked in a rock quarry as a child graduated from the African Leadership Academy in June. He was accepted by four U.S. universities.
“Truly, I assure you that all these former child soldiers, HIV/AIDS orphans, ex-rebels, as well as former child workers like myself, who now attend schools in Uganda as well as outside Uganda, have dreams of eradicating HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda, being top government anti-corruption officials, and being the next Stephen Shames. Education is the only key to achieving our goals. Without it, we won’t be able to become the successful leaders that everyone expects us to be in future. Once again, I would like to thank you very much for giving us this opportunity to not only go to school but also believe that we are the change that we want to see in the world.
Yours sincerely, Paul Ntege”
2009
Katongole and Bayona received full Government of Uganda scholarships to Makerere University, Uganda’s best college.
Katongole is studying pharmacy. Bayona is studying statistics.
Katongole’s Life Story
Bayona’s Life Story
Katongole Before & After
“I am the happiest man on the planet,” remarks an excited Katongole, “From a quarry boy to a pharmacist! It’s unbelievable, but now its true. I think now that nothing is impossible.” When he graduates in four years, this former quarry boy – who broke rocks into pebbles for 73¢ a day, will enter a highly respected and well paid profession. Katongole will be able to help his country which suffers from a shortage of pharmacists. (According to the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, there are only 350 registered pharmacists in the country and they are expected to serve a population of 30 million.)
Bayona, who will study Business Statistics, will join the privileged few women students who will acquire professional management skills so vital to Uganda’s future. L.E.A.D Uganda is doing its’ part by nurturing girls with leadership potential: Bayona, Sanyu, Sarah, Hilda, Madina, Patricia, Juliet, Esther, Mariah, Dorothy, Gloria, Afuat, and Victoria. Bayona says, “I think I was created for a time as this because society needs people who add value, people who contribute to its’ well-being….I am ready to help Uganda face the challenges of this age and beyond.”
Moses awarded a scholarship to study Information Technology / Computers in India at St. Claret, an affiliated college of the University of Bangalore.
“When my father died, my hopes were all shattered and I stopped dreaming,” says Moses, But, “It’s now clear that my dreams are becoming a reality, Life is what you make it. I have always been challenged in life, but I have not accepted defeat. The thought that some one out there cares and cherishes your dreams has always made me strong and firm.”
That “someone out there” who keeps our children’s dreams alive is YOU. In these difficult economic times, our children need your help more than ever. As bad as things are here, they are ten times worse in Africa. Stay with us. Help us keep the dream alive. Please help our children become the leaders Africa needs.
Leadership
2010
Joseph Muwanguzi Elected Head-Boy of Elite School.
Joseph, whose parents died from HIV/ AIDS when he was 3, was elected Head Boy at Budo Junior, the primary school attended by the children of cabinet ministers, generals, and the business elite.
“I have known this school since 1981 and this has not happened before. Joseph is the first boy from a very poor family to become Head Boy,” says Budo Junior Head Master Kavulu Ernest.
“I feel like I am a hero. This is a school for (cabinet) ministers children and so on,” says Joseph, “They come from very rich families, but I am their leader. L.E.A.D Uganda showed me the right way to behave as a leader, how to stand in front of other people, not fearing them. I was proud today when I saw myself in front of the other students, praying for them.”
Girl Elected Head Prefect
Esther is elected Head Prefect of St. Peter’s Nalyaa Senior Secondary School
Katongole Elected to Guild Council at Makerere University.
It took Katongole, a former child laborer who is studying pharmacy at Makerere University, only one semester at East Africa’s legendary institution to be recognized as a leader. The Guild Council, the university’s styudent government is a stepping stone to government service. Two-thirds of Uganda’s elected MPs first served on the Guild Council at Makerere.
Entrepreneurship
Advertising Executive
Paddy was hired as Creative Director of a new advertising agency in Kampala. After graduating from Makerere University, Paddy started his own t-shirt business using his designs on hand painted shirts.
Starts Business
Edgar started a print shop and copy center near Makerere University to serve the needs of college students while still a student himself.
Media
CNN’s Inside Africa did a segment on Sanyu. See the segment
UNICEF did a podcast interview with Nokrach and Sanyu. Listen to the Podcast
