Ms Margaret Sentamu (left) with her househelp, Ms Stella Nakayenze, at their home in Makindye, Kampala. PHOTO/SYLIVIA KATUSHABE
Incidents and the narratives surrounding maids often portray them as bad human beings who mistreat and abuse children under their custody.
Such depictions have fostered a negative image of housemaids in Uganda, as seen in videos that have always gone viral on social media showing maids torturing children they are entrusted with.
According to the 2023 Uganda Police Force annual crime report, 866 cases of child abuse and torture were reported to the police in 2023 compared to the 1,240 cases in 2022.
However, there are good housemaids, yet their stories frequently remain untold. Ms Stella Nakayenze, a resident of Makindye, shares her 28 years as a housemaid to a single household.
In 1997, Stella Nakayenze was introduced to Ms Margaret Sentamu, a resident of Makindye in Kampala, to work as a housemaid after leaving her failed marriage.
Nakayenze had three children from her previous marriage, whom she later discovered were not attending school, which greatly troubled her because she wanted her children to study and not become like her.
She said because of her passion to educate her children, she began searching for jobs to earn money to pay for their school fees.
“I prayed for this job, asking God to provide me with a home where I would have good employers. Despite not having the opportunity to attend school, I knew I wanted to work, and that meant working in someone’s home,” she recounted.
She explained that after getting the job, she informed her employer about her children and the struggles she faced to educate them. She recalls that it was a family of two adults and two children at the time, and she was happy to have got a job in the city.
“Madam [Ms Sentamu] embraced me, accepted me as I was, and supported my struggles. Because my salary was not enough to cover all three children, she would give me a salary advance to pay their school fees,” she said.
She added: “Initially, I would send money to their father, but I later discovered he was not using it for school fees. Upon inquiring at home, I learnt he was using it to pay rent, so I decided to take responsibility for paying for my children’s education myself.”
As her children grew older, they went to boarding school, which relieved her concerns about their well-being because she felt they were safe there.
“When the children went to boarding school, I would feel at ease and concentrate on my work without worrying about them,” she said.
Nakayenze’s goal of educating her children kept her focused and determined, which made her love every part of her job.
“I am a person of principle, and I would do my work the same way I would do it at my home. I don’t look at it like I am working for someone; I look at it as if I am in my own home,” Nakayenze said.
She attributed her strong work ethic to her grandmother, who taught her how to do house chores but also her good employer.
Reward for loyalty
Over time, her employer increased her salary as a gesture of appreciation for her dedicated service. “This motivated me to not only perform my duties well but also love what I was doing,” she said.
Regarding her responsibilities with the children, Nakayenze faced few challenges, as the children were mostly at school during her working hours. However, she acknowledged that when a child misbehaved, she would employcertain disciplinary measures that they feared, though she refrained from beating.
Nakayenze’s persistence was driven by her focus and commitment to her children’s education. “Because I did not have the opportunity to attend school, I was determined to educate my children. The only way I could pay their school fees was to keep this job,” she explained.
Nakayenze was able to educate her children, which, she says, is her greatest achievement.
She also highlighted the importance of communication, noting that she maintains open communication with her employer. Whenever she encounters any issues, she promptly informs her employer, and they are resolved there and then.
Furthermore, Nakayenze mentioned that whenever she needs to leave home, she communicates in advance to her employer so they can plan for her absence.
In the 28 years, Nakayenze noted that she has not experienced significant challenges apart from health issues, and her employer takes care of them.
Challenges
“Before I grew older, I was able to do some things, but now, my boss has been able to hire someone else to help me with some tasks at home,” she said.
She added: “God has been kind to me; I have a supportive boss. For the last 28 years, I have effectively done my work, ensuring there is no room for complaints from my boss.
“By the time she returns home, everything is in order, and if there are any issues, she provides guidance.”
However, Nakayenze confessed that she missed spending enough time with her children, as her job doesn’t allow her much room to do so. Nevertheless, she hopes to spend more time with her grandchildren, disclosing that she is in the process of establishing her own retirement home.
She, however, encouraged other maids to love what they do, stay focused, and respect their employers.
WHAT HER BOSS SAYS
Ms Sentamu explained that before Nakayenze, she had hired at least three maids who did not stay for more than three years.
She was connected to Nakayenze through a friend, and now, after 28 years, they have lived together harmoniously.
Ms Sentamu described Nakayenze as a calm and jolly woman who is self-driven and trustworthy. “She has her programme, and most times, it’s me who has to fit into her schedule. This gives me room to concentrate on my work without worrying about what is happening at home,” Ms Sentamu said.
She added: “Recently, while I travelled to India for medical treatment, Nakayenze was in charge of the home, and I was not worried.”
Ms Sentamu mentioned that their relationship had evolved from an employer-employee dynamic to a sisterhood.
She revealed that whenever Nakayenze feels her boss is wrong, she speaks up and tries to address the issue.
“These people also need respect because they are human beings just like us. We also need to know that if they are not around, it will affect you. We are interdependent, and we have to respect one another,” Ms Sentamu said.
Ms Sentamu advised employers to maintain a good working relationship with their house helpers and be mindful of their needs.
After 28 years of living with Nakayenze, Ms Sentamu said she had become part of the family and is no longer viewed as a worker.
“She has become an aunt to my children. She knows more about our family than I probably do, and even our relatives and friends,she knows who has had a party or given birth. Most of the time, it’s her giving me the updates,” Ms Sentamu said.
