I won the Gayaza High School dancing competition while in senior one in 1991

I won the Gayaza High School dancing competition while in senior one in 1991. Julia Majugo (nee Kalyegira) the entertainment prefect, gave me a life-changing Three thousand shillings as first prize. Akusa Batwala and Babirye Kagga were the other top two winners, each of us from Kampala Parents' School. 

Parade on Sports' Day (courtesy photo)

For years, I resented the title Gayaza girl. I would hear stories of my good behaviour and how well-groomed Gayaza had made me. While holding back the urge to scream that I don't look like a Gayaza girl and never will, I listened politely instead, just like a Gayaza girl. 

I often pitied the hundreds of parents who sought many ways for their daughters to attend Gayaza High School. I wondered why many women, after decades of years,  still wished they had attended this school. Until I joined a whatssap group of Gayaza girls and participated in the July 2016 Gayaza High School Career Day, I was reminded why Gayaza is indomitable,  precious and and wholesome. Being a Gayaza girl is not about being one thing. I'm a Gayaza girl, which means I'm not just a poet or the Coordinator of the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation. You see, when you're just one thing,  then cowards can easily follow your journey and poison your intentions, spiking your food with sabotage; just because they found you in a box.  Being a Gayaza girl means I'm not just one thing. I joined Kampala Toastmasters Club and found an energised group of creative professionals who celebrated my diversity as a public speaker and mentor. I was further challenged to compete in the East Africa Toastmasters Competition, where I emerged semi-finalist.

Kampala Toastmasters Club at a recent retreat.

Together, we’ve created the first ever Toastmasters challenge, competition between poets and public speakers on Thursday 25^th August at the #Babishai2016 poetry festival at Maria’s Place in Ntinda. One of the judges is Doreen Baingana, another Gayaza girl who dominates Uganda’s literary scene. 

At the July 2016 Gayaza Career Day (courtesy photo)

 

While at Gayaza High School,  I was the house leader of Sherborne House,  a position where I participated and lead the house in all sports' competitions,  contemporary African dance and drama competitions,  where I inspired young girls to excel both off and on the field. We had a solidarity that I've never experienced in any other institution; we were motivated to perform our best at all times. 

I'm a former student of this mighty school that demonstrated what it means to be a born again Christian. This is another title I resented for a long while. The world brings lots of disillusionment and doubt and there are people who have made cynicism and manipulation their preferred career choice. It’s difficult to believe in anything good when you’re suffocated by them everyday for years.

It doesn't matter anymore. I'm a born again Christian. And I know that my purpose in life is to rise and not apologize for my abundant, life-changing and history/herstory making personality. I love who I am. I love my husband, children and relatives. I thought I’d wait for the Babishai poetry festival to end before I plan the next huge event but I can’t. I’ve tried to be modest about it but fake modesty looks so ugly on me. Plans are already underway. I celebrate Gayaza girls. I celebrate the testimonies and excellence. With unwavering, trail blazing and world-changing confidence,  I'm a Gayaza girl. 

I'll  Never Give Up!