A 16-year-old Primary Seven candidate at Kyambura Primary School in Kichwamba Sub-county, Rubirizi District, showcased remarkable resilience on Tuesday morning by giving birth to a baby girl just hours before sitting her national Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
The candidate delivered her baby at around 2:00 am at Kichwamba Health Centre III after going into labour the night before. Despite the physically demanding ordeal, she returned to school later that morning to sit her Mathematics and Social Studies papers, while her grandmother and local health workers cared for the newborn.
The incident highlights ongoing efforts by Ugandan educators and health workers to support young pregnant learners under national guidelines that encourage teenage mothers to remain in school and complete their basic education.
According to Stella Nakacwa, the in-charge of Kichwamba Health Centre III, the teenage expectant arrived at the facility accompanied by her 82-year-old grandmother. Health workers monitored her closely until she delivered safely without complications.
“She came with her grandmother during the night. We received them and started monitoring her until she gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. Fortunately, she did not experience any complications during delivery,” Nakacwa said.
Recognizing the candidate’s desire to write her examinations, health personnel immediately coordinated with district authorities.
“When I received the girl, I called my supervisor, the District Health Officer, who informed the district education officials. We discussed the matter and agreed that she should be allowed to sit her PLE because we asked her whether she was ready, and she also expressed her willingness to write the examinations,” Nakacwa added.
The young mother was escorted back to Kyambura Primary School at around 8:00 am, where she successfully completed both the Mathematics and Social and Religious Education papers.
Kyambura Primary School Headteacher Hope Nsimenta commended the candidate’s perseverance and recalled how the school administration intervened to keep her enrolled after she initially considered dropping out.
“She was staying with her grandmother. When she became pregnant, she tried to leave school, but I met her grandmother and encouraged her to allow the girl to continue studying because she had already registered for her examinations,” Nsimenta said, noting that the school provided steady administrative and emotional support throughout her pregnancy.
Speaking after her papers, the emotional candidate expressed relief and gratitude for the support system that allowed her to reach the milestone.
“I didn’t know that I would study, but my grandmother helped me and took me back to school and I studied,” she said. “I thought I would do my papers very well before I give birth, and the Lord helped me; I delivered safely. Doctors took care of my health from Monday night till Tuesday morning until I delivered.”
She added that despite the exhaustion, she remains hopeful about her academic performance. “When the time for the exams reached, I was picked up from the hospital and taken to school. Though some of the questions I failed, I have done what I could manage and I know I won’t fail. I thank my grandmother for taking care of me and even at her age of 82 years she still managed to pay my school fees.”
Her determination has drawn widespread admiration across Rubirizi District, with local residents praising both the teenager’s bravery and her grandmother’s unwavering sacrifice.