Every evening after school, 23-year-old Elvis Kizito can be found mopping and dusting desks at the Daily Monitor Mbale Bureau, a job that has financed his education and kept his dream of completing secondary school.
Kizito, who works part-time as a cleaner at the Monitor offices in Mbale City, is among the 166,402 candidates sitting for the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations.
He sits his papers at Nkoma Secondary School, where he offers Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Geography, and ICT. ‘I started cleaning at Daily Monitor offices when I was in Senior Three,’ Kizito says. ‘The little money I earn helps me pay school fees and buy essentials.’
His journey began through Ms Sylvia Namuwenge, an office administrator at the Daily Monitor Mbale Bureau, who offered him a part-time job after noticing his determination. Behind Kizito’s perseverance lies a difficult past.
Born in Mbale and raised by his mother, Ms Eva Akello, after reportedly being rejected by his father’s family, Kizito grew up in hardship. His mother, a cleaner at the Uganda Communications Commission Mbale offices, struggled to raise him and his siblings.
‘Life was never easy,’ Kizito says. Despite numerous setbacks, including family conflict, financial struggles, and eviction, Kizito excelled academically, scoring Aggregate 10 in his Primary Leaving Examinations at North Road Primary School.
His secondary education, however, nearly ended when his mother could no longer afford the fees. After being turned away by his father’s relatives, his mother secured a loan to enrol him at University Link High School, where he earned a half bursary for good performance.
When the Covid-19 lockdown struck, Kizito started a small business, selling pancakes and cassava chips to support his family. Upon reopening, he completed Senior Four, obtaining Aggregate 42, and later joining Nkoma Secondary School for A-Level.
Then came a breakthrough. In early 2023, Ms Sylvia Namuwenge fell ill and went on sick leave. The Daily Monitor Mbale Bureau, impressed by Kizito’s work ethic, trusted him to step in for her for the entire month. ‘That was a blessing,’ Kizito smiles. ‘I added that money to my savings from my chapati stall and used it to join A-Level.’
His local church helps him with part of his school fees, while he continues working at the Daily Monitor office after classes. As he sits for his UACE exams, Kizito’s eyes are fixed on a brighter future.
‘I thank God for the people who have supported me, especially the team at the Daily Monitor Mbale Bureau. They’ve stood with me since Senior Three,’ he says.
Kizito’s mother Eva Akello, says her son is bright and has a strong love for education.
‘Since he is now sitting for Senior Six, I am worried about how I will afford his university tuition. I appeal to well-wishers to come to his aid and support his education. I also thank the Daily Monitor for giving him part-time work.
Kizito is very disciplined; he always prioritises his studies and manages his time wisely.
He is kind and respectful to everyone, which makes him loved by teachers and classmates alike,’Ms Akello says.
Ms Namuwenge commended Kizito’s strong work ethic and humility.