Orphaned at seven years, now a doctor

In November 1997 when he was just seven years old, Joseph Kato, lost his father to unknown gunmen.
Kato was in Primary One at Nakasongola Church of Uganda Primary School.
Today, almost 20 years after the gruesome killing, Kato has pulled through the difficult days to become a medical doctor.

The 27-year-old’s story is a story of hard work that was achieved with selfless support from family members, especially his uncle Retired Col Fred Bogere.
“Right from primary school, I promised my guardians that I would study to become a medical doctor. There was no reason to retract despite the challenges,” he says.
Kato passed with a CGPA of 3.66 in Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the Kampala International University and boasts of a history of academic success.
Before joining KIU Ishaka Campus in western Uganda, Kato attended St Mary’s Kitende, for his O and A’ Levels where he scored aggregate eight and 18 Points in UCE and UACE, respectively.

Not surprised
One of his former head teachers, Lawrence Mulindwa, Kato, says: “Kato’s good progress gave me confidence that he would excel whenever he would and it is not by surprise that he has become what he is.”
In Primary Seven at Nakasongola Parents’ School, Kato scored aggregate six and, according to David Akanyijuka, his former Social Studies teacher, Kato has always exhibited exceptional performance both in and outside class.
“Many pupils at that level don’t understand why they are in school but Kato proved to be different by reading hard and consulting,” he recounts.

After the death of his father, Kato remained in the hands of his mother, a housewife and a mother of six. With the assistance of Col Bogere, she moulded Kato into a responsible man.
“There were many children left to no one. No one had a solution for them yet their mother was clearly unable to keep them in school,” says Col Bogere, adding that because Kato was always top of his class, he attracted scholarships that encouraged those who were offering him a helping hand.
Today, Col Bogere’s family boasts of breaking the jinx that has seen the family’s first generation going without any medical doctor.

Jocyline Nanyange is Col Bogere’s daughter and Kato’s classmate at both St Mary’s Kitende and KIU Western Campus. Studying alongside Kato, she says, is the reason she is where she is today.
“He encouraged me to study. Many of the colleagues we started with dropped out on academic grounds while we excelled,” she says.

Dr Fredrick Mutyaba, an orthopaedic surgeon and lecturer, has nothing but praise for Kato and Nanyange.
According to Mutyaba, the two showed determination that portrayed them as students clearly aware of their background.
“Right from first year, they positioned themselves for the best. They always sought assistance. I am not surprised they excelled,” he says.

The two were also the pioneer science students in Col Bogere’s extended family.
With his assistance, the family has since seen through a set of lawyers, a journalist and business professionals. Most of the beneficiaries are foster children.
“He is a darling, a man who has sacrificed a lot to the benefit of an extended family,” says one of the family members.

Childhood
Joseph Kato was born in 1990 to the late John Senyonjo Kyeyune and Robinah Namusisi in Kizito village, Luweero Sub-county in Luweero District.
He spent much of his early childhood in Luweero District before moving to Nakasongola and Kampala to study. He is the third born in a family of six.

What others say

Col Fred Bogere, guardian
“Because Kato was always top of his class, he attracted scholarships that encouraged us to support him.”

Jocyline Nanyange, cousin
“He encouraged me to study. Many colleagues that we started with dropped out on academic grounds but we kept excelling.”

Dr Fredrick Mutyaba, former lecturer
“Right from first year, they positioned themselves for the best. They always sought assistance. I am not surprised they excelled.”