Peasant farmer, 82, donates land for seed school in Namisindwa

In 2021, when the district was searching for a suitable location for a new secondary school, Mr Wakuma and his family unanimously agreed to donate their land, recognising the need for a closer school.

A peasant farmer of 82 has donated eight acres of his family’s land to establish a seed secondary school in Namboko Sub-county, Namisindwa District.

Motivated by the challenges his own children faced in accessing education, Mr Difasi Wakuma made the benevolence decision to improve educational opportunities in his community.

Mr Wakuma, a father of 10, including seven girls, resides in Bumusomi village in Buwambingwa parish.

In 2021, when the district was searching for a suitable location for a new secondary school, Mr Wakuma and his family unanimously agreed to donate their land, recognising the need for a closer school.

The nearest schools were up to eight miles away in Tororo District or Magale.

"I was approached by former District Chairperson George William Wopuwa, who requested me to donate land. I shared with my children, and we unanimously agreed to sacrifice our land to establish a school for the benefit of our community," Wakuma said.

"From time immemorial, access to schools has been a challenge here."

Mr Wakuma also praised the government, particularly President Museveni, for prioritising their community in the construction of the secondary school, which will offer free universal secondary education.

Mr Wakuma’s son, Masayi James, expressed optimism about the future, noting that his own children would no longer face the struggles he endured to access education.

Meanwhile, other residents praised Wakuma’s family and the government, highlighting the challenges of limited access to education and advocating for more development projects in their area.

The project, valued at three billion Ugandan shillings, had been earmarked by the central government but required the community or local government to provide land.

When the local government could not secure land in Namboko, Wakuma stepped in.

Without his family’s intervention, the funds could have been reallocated to another sub-county, leaving Namboko without the much-needed school.

Mr Wakuma’s benevolence is particularly noteworthy given the scarcity of land in Bugisu, where plots are highly fragmented and expensive.

The eight acres he donated would have cost the district at least 40 million shillings. Wakuma and his family surrendered the land unconditionally, transferring ownership to the government to ensure the project's smooth implementation.

Now nearing completion, the school has already brought new hope to a community that has long struggled with high illiteracy rates and early marriages.

Mr Wakuma believes that not only will the broader community benefit, but his 60 grandchildren will also have a brighter future.

Despite the impressive school buildings rising near his modest mud and wattle house, Wakuma remains proud of his contribution to the area's development.

Sister Grace Mary Akirol, from the RDC’s secretariat in the President’s Office, visited the site and commended Wakuma’s selflessness.

She highlighted the challenges the government faces in securing land for community projects, where demands for compensation often delay or block developments.

"Some districts have lost government projects due to land issues, but this one is an example of love for development," Sister Grace said, urging others to follow Wakuma’s example.

She also advocated for Wakuma’s family to be given priority for casual labor opportunities once the school opens.

Mr Wakuma's noble act stands in stark contrast to the prevalent greed seen elsewhere, where the wealthy often seize land, leaving communities landless.

His story is a powerful reminder of how individual sacrifices can shape the future of entire generations.

Sister Akirol urged district authorities to consider building a better house for Wakuma in appreciation of his generosity.