At least five children of Yasin Kawuma, the former driver of Kyadondo East Member Parliament, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, have dropped out of school due to lack of school fees and scholastic materials.
Nine out of the 11 children that Kawuma left were attending school, but only four are able to continue with studies having got sponsorships from generous persons. 17-year-old Jalira Nakayiwa has resorted to casual labour as a housemaid in one of the homes in Kiteezi-village, Kasangati Sub-county, Wakiso District.
Nakayiwa uses the little money she earns to provide for the family including supporting her mother Ms Alice Mwesigwa’s charcoal business.
“She at least has a chance and I don’t think I am worried about her. I need to focus on some of her siblings who have since dropped out of school,” said Ms Mwesigwa, said adding that although her daughter’s job is not the best, it’s a blessing to have it.
Ms Mwesigwa, Kawuma’s first wife says there are five women who claim to have sired children with Kawuma.
“This has destabilised the family since the little help that given by Bobi Wine and other good Samaritans is not enough,” Ms Mwesigwa said.
On August 13, 2018, Kawuma was shot dead in the Arua by-election fracas that left many others injured when soldiers raided Royal and Pacific Hotels hunting for opposition politicians whom they accused of masterminding the alleged stoning of one of President Museveni’s car.
During Kawuma’s burial, a number of people promised to sponsor four children including; Edirisa Ssebabi who is at Mwererwe Vocational Training Centre and sponsored by the director of the school.
Prossy Namusisi is being sponsored by the World Health Community Development. Other children on scholarships include Janat Nansereko and Jawuhara Nantumbwe. The widows say some other people who pledged help are yet to fulfil their pledges, a year later.
After the burial, singer Catherine Kusasira delivered Shs20 million which was a package from President Museveni. But the money caused more divisions in the family as widows claim that most of the money was taken by their father-in-law.
Ms Beatrice Nakigudde, one of the widows told Daily Monitor that they are torn between providing for daily basics and school fees since they do not have good jobs which can stake all these responsibilities.
At the anniversary ceremony on Tuesday, Bobi Wine together with Mityana Municipality MP, Mr Francis Zaake, Kawempe MP, Mr Latif Ssebagala led the crowd through fundraising and got Shs2.6 million from it before dividing the money amongst the six widows.
At the event, Mr Ssebagala and Mr Richard Ssebamala pledged to take care of two children from the levels they had dropped out to university level.
Bobi Wine said: “I call upon all the people to remain focused on removing President Museveni’s regime. This is the last time I am representing Kyaddondo in Parliament because I am going for the bigger thing.”
Mr Zaake who also sustained injuries from the Arua fracas said the families need to work together as they seek justice.
“Many cases have been trumped onto but some of them have been dropped because the government doesn’t have evidence. Let us support each other so that we can seek justice for Kawuma’s death,” he said.