By Mark Wamai
Briefly tell us about yourself and how you ended up at Makerere.
My name is Leah Juliet Wanyenya Walyaula Kisaakye, the latter being a name I got after I survived an accident where five colleagues perished. Walyaula is my husband’s name and Wanyenya is my maiden name. I am a God-fearing lady and that defines what I do and don’t do, having given my life to Christ in 1987 when I was in Tororo Girls School. I am married to Peter, and I am a mother of three; Grace, Hannah and Samuel, but between Peter and I, we have four children, our eldest being Sharon, who also has two children. I hail from Mbale District.
Walyaula with friends in S.2 at Tororo Girls School (TGS).
I am the first born and have two siblings, a brother and a sister. We were raised by a single mum, who separated from my dad. I attended North Road and Gangama Primary Schools, Nkoma Secondary School for my S.1 and joined Tororo Girls School in S.2 when my Father came back on board and was willing to support us. Before that, we hardly had the basics of life including food. We brewed malwa (an alcoholic drink made from millet) and did a lot of digging to keep our heads afloat. Mum became addicted to alcohol as a way of escape from life’s challenges until 1992 when she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ.
I grabbed the opportunity to attend Tororo Girls School with both my hands and legs. I always went the extra mile when it came to reading my books, and consulting my teachers and peers. I denied myself all the pleasures of life. I knew that none of my schoolmates could appreciate my struggles or what I was aiming for in life. Despite my father being able to afford my school fees, I was still in and out of school largely due to the encumbrances that come with having a stepmother.
Walyaula with her mother and siblings.
All the above notwithstanding, I was resilient, and used the few weeks at school to do the best I could, which of course earned me the nickname “bookworm”. However, it came as no surprise when I was among the 11 girls from Tororo Girls School that qualified to join Makerere University after my S.6 exams in 1990.
Government’s introduction of 1.5 bonus points for all girls in 1990 was a Godsend; I feel like God changed the policy just for me. I had passed but chances were high that I, as well as many other girls, would have missed out on joining Makerere University had it not been for those bonus points. The first time I set foot in Kampala was when I was escorted by Dad to join the university. I was admitted to the Bachelor of Arts programme and attached to Complex Hall (CCE) as a non-resident because students who had scored more points were given priority for residency. I mufad with my cousin Jackie, who was a resident of Mary Stuart Hall, for a whole year. Mufaring was a term used to mean illegally staying in a place. In second year, I was by God’s grace granted residency in Complex Hall, then the only mixed Hall at the university, and nominated to head the born again fellowship. In third year I specialised in political science and public administration.
What was life like at Makerere when Nobert Mao was guild president?
Since university education in our day was fully government-sponsored, all we had to do was carry our personal effects because mattresses and blankets were also provided by the university. We were assured of breakfast, lunch and supper, and students from vulnerable families could afford to live without money.
When we joined Makerere, Norbert Mao was the Guild President. Hardly two weeks later, there was a big strike following the government's halting of “boom”, a student allowance.
Walyaula with friends at Makerere celebrating CCE (Complex) Day in 1993.
The protests became so bad that the army and police had to come in and quell the situation using live ammunition. Unfortunately, two students were killed and several others hurt.
During Charles Rwomushana’s era as guild president, boom was redefined as a scheme for only needy students. I don’t know the criteria they used but the needy scheme favoured students that came from upcountry and as such, I was a beneficiary.
What has your professional life been like since your graduation from Makerere?
Two months after completing our exams, I attended the graduation ceremony with Mum and Dad and wow! I can never forget the joy that day brought. As a young graduate, I had very high expectations of immediately securing a job but was still jobless one year down the road.
Having classified myself as Kampala material, I decided not to go back to Mbale. I stayed with my paternal aunt who then worked with World Vision and played the role of maid. At one point she even requested me to go and help a friend that needed a maid. I swallowed my pride, did as asked, and thankfully got paid for my services.
Upon my aunt’s insistence, towards the end of 1994 I reluctantly applied for and to my surprise, successfully joined World Vision’s new Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) led by Dr. Sam Luzobe.
After the first year, in 1996 I was chosen and secured my first job as a Development Facilitator at World Vision. I gave this job my best until 1999 when I decided that I needed something more challenging and resigned.
I joined the Mildmay Centre as a counsellor and trainer. I was later promoted to assistant manager of the Mildmay Mobile Training Team, and when my manager resigned, I was automatically promoted to her role.
Walyaula on the campaign trail for Woman MP Namisindwa District.
Unfortunately in 2003, I was involved in a car accident where I was the sole survivor. This greatly affected my mental capacity and I could not cope with what was required of me as a manager. The organisation retained me at the same salary scale albeit at a lower rank. I had to slowly work my way up the corporate ladder again as I recovered. It was during this time that I enrolled for my Masters in Counselling at Makerere University in 2005.
It was tough balancing between my studies and work but in 2010 I finally completed my Masters degree and qualified as a counselling psychologist. That year, I was laid off from Mildmay. I then joined Bugema University as a lecturer of Psychology, and was later appointed as one of the National Trainers during the implementation of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) project.
When this project ended, I was recalled by Mildmay to head a sexual and reproductive health project for adolescents. Upon successfully completing this project, in 2019 I resigned from Mildmay to join politics. I have contested as Woman MP three consecutive times, but not gone through.
What is your current occupation?
After leaving Mildmay, in 2010 I was able to gain early access to my NSSF savings and together with my husband’s savings, we put up Glory To God Hotel in Mbale City. I am the Hotel Supervisor as well as the co-consultant of a company we registered together with my husband to do monitoring and evaluation among other things. I also preach the gospel, talk to the youth and offer counselling to women, and. I advocate and help the community to access services.
Your career has spanned several disciplines and interests. Which one has been most fulfilling and why?
My work as a counselling psychologist — helping people figure out how to cope or solve their problems in life, being able to create a smile where there was none, being able to create hope in a situation where there has been hopelessness — fulfills me the most. I came from a very vulnerable family and always strive to make a difference. Youth and women are my passion groups. I talk to young people about life skills and how to make good decisions. I talk to women, encourage the girl child and let them know that they should not let their past determine their future.
How has Makerere influenced what you've done or achieved to date?
I think I was the first in my clan to join Makerere University and that feat alone helped my self-esteem leap to new heights. The circumstances of my upbringing had greatly stifled my self-esteem. Makerere helped me believe in myself and my special God-given abilities such as advocacy, public speaking and many others sprung up. This greatly influenced World Vision to give me my first job. The fact that I am a Makerere product has given me a platform to speak in my family and community.
Walyaula with her husband Peter and their children.
My specialization in politics and public administration at Makerere sharpened my desire to engage in national politics. I have used my leadership skills to mobilise communities, and to advocate for people. In World Vision I was able to advocate for the poor and less privileged, and many children who previously stood no chance got the opportunity to go to school and achieve their potential.
In a nutshell, Makerere University made me employable. Makerere provided the building blocks that later shaped my life. As a result, I have become a source of inspiration to my siblings, women, and the girl child in communities.
What advice would you give to students, alumni or young graduates embarking on their careers?
To the students, don’t take the fact that you are a student at Makerere for granted. There are so many out there craving that same opportunity, so do the best that you can. Make the right decisions. The decisions that you make today determine what does or does not happen to you tomorrow. Do not let your past define you. If I had let my past define me, I’d not be where I am today. You cannot change the family you are born into but you can definitely change the future. Dream big, go for it, with God the sky is the limit. Get mentors and models you can look up to and above all fear God.
The alumni should use the wisdom and experience they have amassed to inspire the younger generation to emulate the good but avoid the mistakes they have made.
The young graduates should always be open-minded, flexible and not despise any opportunity. Keep learning; there will always be one who is more knowledgeable than you are. Choose to be versatile. This gives you comparative advantage and makes you more relevant especially in this competitive world. Always aim at excellence in all you do. Do not think you are indispensable but rather make yourself indispensable. Be job creators, save for tomorrow and fear the Lord.
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