Deputy Legal Director tells us how he came all the way from Gwaragwara to Bank of Uganda
By Drone Reporter
This is Teko’s story, as told by himself. His name is Isaac Teko Bonny, all the way from Gwaragwara to Bank of Uganda.
Teko’s story: I studied in Aturukuku P1-3 starting in 1975, but it seems I never studied P4 because I don’t remember anything about that class. The next I recall I was at Pajwenda P5, then Oguti PS for P6 and Kidera for P7….finally Pomede Gwaragwara P7 again. Because I was so young and stubborn my parents insisted that I stay home till I became bigger, so I sat P7 again!
I joined Rock High in 1985 for S1 and S2. Now, just a reminder that I first sat for P7 in 1981 but only joined S1 in 1985!!!!!
I was always passing exams but being told I was ‘young’ and ‘small’ etc but the real problem was LACK OF FEES to join S1.. then when I finally joined, things fell apart!
Rock High HM Mukanga did not take long before expelling me, claiming “I was too much”… so I stayed home for a year. Meanwhile, I started selling fish at BODA. One day I escaped to Jinja to bring fish, while there, I entered a UTC bus to Kampala and got stuck there!
Before I tell you my Kampala story, just a reminder what I went through.
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I planted onions, I sold omena, I sold fene, I sold odumbi in all those markets , Omwonyoele, Aninda, Mairo-aboro, I brewed waragi in Busitema, I was arrested selling waragi in Busia and I escaped jail, I was chased by a wild animal, I almost drowned in Malawa, I was almost speared by a relative when I broke his sugarcane because of hunger , I used a train from Jinja to Nagongera without paying and I was running away from the ticket examiner all through the journey….. . until we reached Peta where I threw my fish out of a moving train and jumped out too….too much risk!
That is enough to paint the picture for you.
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KAMPALA LIFE
When I ARRIVED in Kampala……I had no proper shoes..but only a separate one, that was red, and the other blue. Since it was the nsenene season I learnt how to pick and eat nsenene. I sold nsenene in Owino (Balikudembe) Market. I painted houses, I slashed compounds, I washed cars swept houses, I walked on foot for miles looking for things to do.. I slept without food many times ..BUT I kept keeping on.
Then when I met Sam Owori, the great Rotarian, who is married to my Aunt, they felt pity and took me in and back to School. I HAD THAT ONE CHANCE which I NEVER mis-used. I also never took their help for granted at all!!! .I worked my ass OUT AND OUT .. So it was not all easy life.
Sam Owori paid my school fees. I was offered a place in S2 in Kololo High but I studied and sat for S3 instead and passed so well that they left me to join S4, where I went on and scored a 1st Grade.
I then joined City High School to study HLG, but I studied HEL instead and again got expelled, but was eventually allowed to register and sit for S6.
I passed well enough to join Makerere on Government Scholarship and offered Law.
UNIVERSITY LIFE
When I went to University I became a photographer and used that to survive very well. Uncle Sam gave me the camera….the equivalent of handing one fish, but I learnt how to fish. I made my life…got some rich girls on campus and got very attached to them — dears, Man had to survive!!! I also did business showing films at the Univeristy using a borrowed TV from a Jap lady called Margaret Osinde, who was a Secretary at MUK. ASK Galogitho and Ndira Okoth …..making chapos and cooking for richer kids in Northcote Hall was my thing ..I did everything possible to survive.
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Fast forward I ended up in a Law firm, then IGG for a year where I joined BOU.
This was however only after sitting for a hard interview with my boss. As it turned out, she failed and yours truly passed, and the rest is history.
I have been in BOU for 20 years now, and I am currently DEPUTY Director Legal. I may not yet be the Governor, but I have already made Padhola proud. I have 5 kids, the oldest is in S6, and the youngest P7.
▶️ The lesson is ..
✳️ Keep trying…..You never know where you will end
✳️ Don’t discount yourself
✳️ Also help hold other peoples hands. My hand was held by people…
✳️ I feel in deep debt to all who helped me . So I also try to help others..
? That’s the SUMMARY of Teko’s life. The longer version is in a book I am writing!