Journey to University: Witness

I am Mugisha Witness. I joined Action in Africa in 2019 through the Primary Partnership Program at All Saints Preparatory School. I have never been a stranger to hard work. When my father’s back illness left my mother as the sole provider for our family of eight, I stepped up to secure my own future. As a primary student, I worked hard at construction sites and took on casual labor around Nakuwadde to buy my scholastic materials and ease my mother's burden. My background has taught me that while life can be demanding, persistence is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. 

Growing up, my life was a constant battle between survival and education. My mother and I would often wait for customers until 2:00 AM, only for me to head to school a few hours later with no time to rest or study. By Primary Six, the weight of our poverty was so heavy that I was ready to drop out and work full-time to support her. I missed many classes, especially on Saturdays, just to search for extra income. However, the moment I was awarded the Secondary Scholarship, that cycle of exhaustion was broken. My life has been completely transformed. 

The Secondary Scholarship was the foundation of my success, providing me with a fully-funded education from Senior One through Senior Six. Beyond tuition, Action in Africa consistently provided all necessary scholastic materials, allowing me to focus entirely on my academic growth. I am honored to be among the few selected for the 2026 Internship Cohort, and I am now confidently preparing to join Kampala International University to further my education. 

The support from Action in Africa has been the catalyst for my academic transformation. By covering my boarding expenses at Riverside High School, Mbazzi. The organization eliminated the need for me to seek casual labor for survival. This shift allowed me to transition from a student at risk of dropping out to a high achiever with a clear professional goal. I am now fully committed to my path toward a career in Medicine and Surgery, a dream made possible by AIA’s intervention. Thank you, Action in Africa, for transforming hopeless families in the Nakuwadde community.