John Kakama, a determined student at Kigezi High School, stands as a living example of resilience and courage. Born without upper limbs, he has refused to let his physical limitations hinder his progress in life.
Today, Kakama joins thousands of students across Uganda in sitting for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams. However, what sets him apart is his remarkable ability to write with his feet—a skill he has mastered over the years to keep pace with his classmates.
An orphan supported by Compassion International, Kakama began his day by attending morning prayers with his peers before heading to the examination hall.
Like every other candidate, he patiently waited in line for security checks before entering the exam room. Once inside, with unwavering determination, Kakama began writing his exam with his feet, demonstrating extraordinary perseverance.
Reflecting on his journey, Kakama expressed his excitement at reaching this milestone:
“I am thrilled to have made it this far. Sitting for my final Senior Four exams feels like a major achievement. I’ve been preparing for weeks, and I feel ready.”
Despite the challenges he faces, especially with daily tasks, Kakama has found solace and support in the friendships he has cultivated at school, helping him navigate through these difficulties.
His ambitions remain high—he hopes to continue to A-levels and eventually pursue a university degree. His ultimate dream? To become a lawyer and one day serve as Uganda’s Chief Justice.
“I want to prove that disability is not inability. My goal is to become a prominent lawyer and, ultimately, the Chief Justice of this country,” Kakama said with determination.
Emily Kemitanga, Kakama’s class teacher, praised his perseverance and commitment to his studies:
“He’s always punctual and excels academically. We have no doubt he will perform well in his exams.”
Obvious Turyangumanawe, one of Kakama’s friends, admired his talent, especially his ability to write with his feet:
“I became friends with him out of curiosity, wanting to see how he writes. His feet are so well-trained that he writes faster than many of us. He’s also very knowledgeable about the Bible and actively participates in class.”
Abraham Akampurira, headteacher of Kigezi High School, described Kakama as someone who believes deeply in himself:
“He’s a talented musician, participates in all school activities, and works incredibly hard. I am confident he will achieve outstanding results in the UCE exams. His future is undeniably bright.”
Akampurira also called on the government and educational institutions to identify and support students like Kakama, suggesting that special funding should be made available at all educational levels to help such individuals succeed.
As John Kakama sits for his exams, his story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us all that with determination, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges.
Across Uganda, 379,748 candidates began their UCE exams this year, but few stories are as inspiring as that of John Kakama.
