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!