Andrew Felix Kaweesi was a pillar in Lwengo

For years, they wanted to change their lives, but wondered where to start from. The siblings eventually agreed to start by building a magnificent house at their home in Lwengo district.
 
Their parents had 640 acres of land in Kitwekyagonja village in Lwengo and a small house. Kaweesi and his siblings decided that they need a better structure on that land.
 
"We knew this gesture would make our parents proud of us," Kaweesi says.
 
To start with, the family held meetings to mobilise funds to build the house. As a family, they wanted a house that would serve every member's interests.
 
After deciding on the size of the house, they got the plan of the house and immediately embarked on construction.
 
Acquiring building materials was not hard. They had a Police general in the family who helped them get building materials from duty-free shops, a shop where Police employees get building materials at factory price.
 
"To me this was like a bonus because I bought all my building materials from this shop and since the price was friendly, it motivated my siblings and I to complete our village home," says Kaweesi.
 

 
When the family got to roofing stage, they were so proud of their progress that they worked harder to complete the project.
 
After roofing the new house, they wanted to demolish their old house, but decided to keep it for sentimental reasons.
 
"It is where we grew up, so breaking it down would not be a good idea unless need arises. However, for now we still want our old three-bedroom house," Kaweesi notes.
 
The new house has eight bedrooms, each self-contained. It also has three extra bathrooms. Their sitting room measures 15ft x 20ft. The house also has a big kitchen.
 
"It is refreshing to travel from the city to your village and feel more at home," says Kaweesi.
 
Kaweesi says they are grateful to the Lord as they achieved this milestone in one year.
 
Their compound sits on one-and-a-half acres. Part of it is covered with pavers, while the rest is covered with grass.
 
The house also has boys' quarters with bathroom and toilets, where visitors stay.
 
Challenges
 
While building, Kaweesi and his family members faced a problem of water shortage.

The nearest water source is two miles away from their home. The builders at times had to suspend work as they waited for water. This slowed down the construction work.
 
To manage the water crisis, they sunk a borehole at home.
 
Today, they have piped water.

Story was first published in the New Vision on September 30, 2014