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Hon. Obiga Mario Kania speaking during the graduation. All photos by Godwin Abedican. By Godwin Abedican Arua Faced with the challenges of living in the university to meet the costs of his studies, Fredrick Abedigamba a student of muni university who left his
Hon. Obiga Mario Kania speaking during the graduation. All photos by Godwin Abedican.
By Godwin Abedican
Arua
Faced with the challenges of living in the university to meet the costs of his studies, Fredrick Abedigamba a student of muni university who left his home in Padwot, Nebbi district approached a local washing bay in Awindiri, Arua city as a university student at Muni university to seek for a job to wash cars at the bay.
His lack paid him when he was offered the opportunity four years ago as a year one student by then and did his job with commitment until his graduation day.
On Saturdya November 9, 2024, Fredrick was the hero of the day as all reference was being made to him at the university’s 7th graduation for his acceptance to lower himself regardless of status for the sake of his education.
Fredrick in an interview with Radio Pacis said he was pushed hard by the challenges but with the burning desire to continue with his studies.
“The journey has not been easy due to financial challenges. You are expected to support yourself, I began facing problems of rent, feeding, photocopying and other things which need money. All in all, it is good to reduce yourself. I was working with some people who never went to school while some stopped in primary seven. When I was introduced as a university student, some were fearing me up to when I began to reduce myself to their levels so that they could come close to me. My being there inspired others who had dropped out of school to fit in the community,” Abedigamba said.
Abedigamba, advises fellow students to always look at available opportunities to support their education
“When you go out there as a university student and place yourself too high, people fear to approach you, yet could be having some knowledge that can help them. When I get some opportunity somewhere and begin working, once in a while I will be visiting that washing bay so that students or pupils who drop out of school will get inspired to go back to school and continue with their studies,” he added.
Abedigamba Fredrick during an interview.
Eng. Dr. Joel Aiita, the Chairperson Muni University council encourages student not to let their challenges deter them from academic progress because at the end of it all the choice to continue or drop out of school will determine their future.
“I believe many if our students drop out of school because of similar challenges that Fredrick has faced. I believe this is an example to many of our students that you are not alone these challenges everyone is facing. If you can buy an example from what Fredrick has done, you will be successful just like Fredrick,” he advised.
Fredrick earned 40,000 shillings per weekend each time he washed cars at the washing bay and this helped push him through his 4 years of studies.
Hon. Obiga Mario Kania, the state minister for Lands Housing and Urban Development warns graduates against being selective in regards to jobs given the high competition in the limited job market.
“I didn’t know that this gentleman was a university student and he was washing my car there. I think there is a message to the students out there from this. There is no job that you should despise. A job is what gives you some income, finished. Forget about gowns, if they cannot give you money, that is not a job. If you can collect wastes and get money, that is a job. Fredrick washed cars and he graduated. There is an opportunity always for you if you think widely,” the minister encouraged.
According to Associate professor Anguma Simon Katrini, the Vice Chancellor of the university, if all students are able to understand their background well and the need to study through hardships, such an example can help reduce the high students drop rates in the region
Retired Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, the Chancellor Muni university on his part warns university graduates against the desire to get rich quickly saying, it possess a lot of risks that one needs to be careful about.
“There are so many opportunities out there. Do not despise any job just like the young man who never looked at washing cars as being below his standard. Money is money nonmatter how you get it because when you get money positively, you are building yourself a character. Start humble and God will lift you up your beginning humble as it is, has greater future. Keep pushing on do not fall for the get rich quick schemes, those will destroy you. Success is progressive, do the right thing at all times,” the Chancellor cautioned in his remarks during the graduation.
Fredrick Abedigamba joined Muni university four years ago to pursue a Bachelor of science in Agriculture and was among the 320 students who graduated at the university on Saturday November 9, 2024.