Doomed for resembling her mother

By Egessa Hajusu.SHE may be beautiful, educated and hardworking. But if you had the ‘misfortune’ of resembling your mother, you could miss out on school fees.This is the plight of a 14-year-old senior one student of Busia Secondary School who has sued her father in the family and children’s Court for allegedly refusing to pay for her school fees.Her crime: resembling her mother. Nekesa told The New Vision that her father, George Egessa, a businessman in Busia town has refused to pay her fees because she resembles her mother.Nekesa is the only child in the family for whom Egessa refused to pay fees. The happily married successful trader has all other children in boarding schools. “I didn’t choose to resemble my mother, besides, not all my sisters and brothers resemble our father,” Nekesa bitterly said. Her mother, Faith Anyango, said her daughter’s fees was paid by an aunt throughout primary school. Anyango said Egessa owns two commuter taxis and commercial buildings and was capable of raising fees for all the children. She said she was particularly disturbed by her husband’s conduct towards their youngest daughter. A proud Egessa made no secret of his feelings. He admitted he had the money but would not pay fees for his daughter. “Unlike all my other children, this girl (Nekesa) doesn’t resemble me in any way. I am not therefore ready to pay her school fees,” he said. Egessa said he can provide all other basic necessities but not school fees. “Her mother may look for money and pay her fees. I have no problem with that,” he said.