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Visually impaired learner keen to become a judge

Richard Mubiru, a visually-impaired student

What you need to know:

  • Richard Mubiru, 16, told the Monitor that he was a normal child but developed a strange sickness that destroyed his sight nerves while in Primary Four

A visually impaired pupil who beat the odds to score Aggregate 21 after writing his 2024 PLE papers at Hornby Primary School in Kabale District is not sure about joining secondary school because of financial challenges.

Richard Mubiru, 16, told the Monitor that he was a normal child but developed a strange sickness that destroyed his sight nerves while in Primary Four.

“After turning blind, my father denied me, saying that he cannot be a father to a blind child. I stayed with my mother who paid school fees for me at a school for the blind in Kampala but I later dropped out in 2021 because my mother lost her job,” he said.

“I stayed home for some time until a well-wisher from Mbarara District helped me to join Hornby Primary School in Kabale District where special needs education is offered. I am so happy that I was able to complete primary school level although my worry is getting supported to complete O-Level,” he further disclosed.

Mubiru, who harbours dreams of becoming a High Court judge, is desperate to get a State House education bursary.

“Becoming a High Court judge is my dream career and I can only achieve this if well-wishers can support my education journey. I am the best person to benefit from the statehouse scholarship programme for the needy because of my physical and financial challenges,” he told the Monitor.

Mr Emmanuel Muhairwe, who has been sponsoring Mubiru for his primary education, said while he was willing to continue supporting him for secondary school education, any financial and material support is welcome.

“Although I am still a young man of 33 years and supporting the education of six other needy pupils that include double orphans and pupils with physical disabilities, including Mubiru, any support extended to any of these needy pupils under my care is welcome,” Mr Muhairwe said.

Mr George Aturebire Tumusiime, the head teacher of Hornby High School, where special needs education for the visually impaired students is offered, said although school fees of Shs483,500 and entrance fees of Shs29,500 are mandatory for all the new students, students with visual impairments are provided with free beddings, stationery, braille machines for easy writing. They also get access to a separate resource room equipped with about 20 computers.

“This is an all-inclusive school that provides special needs education for boys and girls,” Mr Tumusiime said