Natweta starts her lessons with prayer

She was inspired into teaching by her primary school teacher who was always punctual, and smart and eloquent in English. As such, Edinah Kenyonyozi Natweta, was determined that she would be a teacher of English. Raised in present day Rubanda District, the 41-year-old has been teaching for 17 years now.
Her career spans in different schools, including Trinity Secondary School, Rwashamaire, Crested Secondary School, Makindye, Old Kampala Secondary School and Bweranyangi Girls School.
Throughout her career as a teacher, Natweta has appreciated that she has the mandate to make students under her mentorship succeed. But she also believes in the power of prayer and that is why she prays with her students at the beginning of every lesson as a sign of raising and surrendering them to God.

Background
Natweta was born on October 1, 1977 to Fred Kahangura and Esther Jane Tumwine (RIP) of Kacerere, Bufundi, Rubanda County, then Kabale District in southwestern Uganda. Her father was a sub-county chief and the mother a church school trainer and Mothers Union leader.
Being a daughter to a sub-county chief, Natweta completed her Primary Seven at Kacerere Primary School in 1991. She was admitted to Seseme Girls School, Kisoro in 1992 for Senior One but completed at Bufundi College, Kacerere in 1995.

She joined A-Level at Old Kampala Secondary School completing Senior Six in 1998. Natweta then enrolled for a Diploma in Secondary Education majoring in English language and Literature in English at National Teachers College, Kakoba in Mbarara Town.

In 2001 she joined Trinity Secondary School, Rwashamaire, as a teacher and later enrolled for a Bachelor’s in Education degree at Makerere University in 2002 while teaching at Crested Secondary School, Makindye, Kampala. She graduated in 2004.

After her degree, Natweta taught at Old Kampala Secondary School for two years and left in 2007 when she was listed on the government payroll. She joined Bweranyangi Girls Secondary School in Bushenyi, where she has taught to date.

Although her first love was teaching, she has over the years become passionate in leadership.
To achieve this dream, Natweta enrolled for Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management at Kampala International University in 2012 and graduated in 2014. “I have not dreamed about being a school headteacher but my desire to lead the public forced me to study public administration,” she says.

Natweta, the counsellor
Natweta is a born again Christian, a status she acquired in 1988. While teaching, she counsels her students about how to live responsibly.

“I have taught my girls how to answer certain questions and handle some situations in life as well as which friends to keep. I also tell them when to visit and whom to visit, for which reasons. I find time to talk to these girls and we pray together in every lesson. I believe that if they are successful, I cannot be stuck anywhere,” she says.

Challenges
Like most professions, Natweta’s journey has met some challenges. But to students failing to put what she has taught them into practice thus failing exams, tops the list. She is also burdened by the girls she teaches and later learns that they dropped out of school.

But in all she is strengthened by the different fellowships such as Bushenyi young marrieds, Agape home builders, Uganda christian teachers group, which altogether help her solve social, economic and spiritual issues.

Natweta is married to a fellow teacher and priest, Rev Didas Natweta who serves as Dean of Students at Ankole Western University, as well as a teacher at Nganwa High School. She is a mother of four, a house mother, house teacher, and patron scripture union.

Brief background
Natweta was born on October, 1, 1977. She awas admitted to Seseme Girls School, Kisoro in 1992 for Senior One and completed at Bufundi College, Kacerere in 1995. She joined A-Level at Old Kampala Secondary School completing Senior Six in 1998. In 2001 she joined Trinity Secondary School, Rwashamaire, as a teacher and later enrolled for a Bachelor’s in Education at Makerere University in 2002 while teaching at Crested Secondary School, Makindye, Kampala. She graduated in 2004.

What former students say

“She was open, would call a spade a spade, not a big spoon. Always urged us to hate and run away from evil and her advice is what made me what I am today.” Goodman Ayebare, former student.

“She was and is still an inspiration to young girls and is always encouraging them to stay pure and focused. She taught us with passion and care to ensure we excel.” Donacs Nasasira, former student

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