His mother Rodha Nakirigya is hopeful that her son will continue to be the light and breadwinner of the family. “He has been working since we came nine years ago to settle here. Although the journey seemed tough, my son seemed ready to persevere since he had no father to cater for his needs,” she says.
Kalangala — The triumph of high achievement in life for many Ugandans is when a man or woman accomplishes the task of constructing shelter for him/herself and family.
This is why it is impressive that Nicholas Luwuge, a 13-year-old Primary Seven candidate has constructed a two-roomed house.
Located in Bugoma Trading Centre, adjacent to the Mapera tourism site in Mugoye Sub-county, the house Luwuge had constructed is one of the few permanent structures around the landing site.
“I used bricks, stones and cement. I was copying the style used by the former area chairperson Nalunga Bunjaz whose house has a firm foundation,” said Luwuge in an interview with Daily Monitor.
The 13-year-old estimates the house to have cost him a minimum of Shs4.1m although he doesn’t cost the iron sheets that were given to him freely by well-wishers within Mugoye Sub County.
“I wouldn’t wish to name them. They came silently and admired my work. Some of them are fishermen who came to make boats at the workshop where I work when I am not in class and pledged to help me,” he says.
Luwuge is set to sit for Primary Leaving Examinations at Bugoma Primary School this week. He also works as a boat maker.
He says his only source of income is boat-making which he started when he was only eight years old as he helped his mother Rodha Nakirigya to secure food and basic needs.
“I like the kind of work I do since it has helped me get some of those necessities I need, especially my school fees and clothing,” he says.
His mother Rodha Nakirigya is hopeful that her son will continue to be the light and breadwinner of the family. “He has been working since we came nine years ago to settle here. Although the journey seemed tough, my son seemed ready to persevere since he had no father to cater for his needs,” she says.
