Last year, 55-year-old Eriasa Mufungiza sat for his O level exams at Bulamagi community secondary school. He passed English, Fine Art, Lusoga and History with credits and passes but failed Islam.

 “It hurt that I failed my religion. I was confident to pass with a distinction but I picked a tricky question and misfired,” he says.

Mufungiza

Mufungiza is resident of Kinawanswa village located in Bulamagi Sub County in Iganga district.

Meanwhile, he decided to go back to school after almost 30 years after he dropped out. 

He lives with his two wives and grandchildren.

In school, he was christened him ‘student muzeeyi’ meaning old student but that did not derail him. He is focusing on his dream of becoming a lawyer and politician.

He is currently saving towards his A levels and university education.

I was a violent husband

Mufungiza was inspired to go back to school after he became a trained activist (champion) with MIFUMI, a women rights organization working at the grassroots throughout the country. He joined the organization three years ago.

 “I am passionate about eliminating Sex and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), which leads to trauma and loss of lives,” he says.

He says, domestic violence cases are high in his sub county owing to high levels of illiteracy, poverty and cultural beliefs that hold women in an inferior position.

“I was also violent to my two wives. I would beat them up in front of our children for no reason,” he says.

“Imams constantly preached against domestic violence but I remained adamant for years,” he adds.

However, when he became an activist, he started sensitizing communities about all forms of violence including; emotional, economic and domestic violence. He also works hand in hand with local leaders and police. He traverses 27 villages while settling family disputes and helping victims of domestic violence to get justice.

However, in the course of executing his duties, Mufungiza encountered challenges with interpreting the law in order to help victims. He could barely read and write well.

How he coped at school

Mufungiza would wake up early to till the garden with his wife. After, he worked at construction sites before going to school.

“At first, I was slow at writing because I did not know most of the spellings. I would copy from my desk mates,” he adds.

In addition, in senior four, he did not understand most of the subjects and did not see any chance of passing them.

Before registration, he travelled to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) offices in Kampala and met the board secretary. He explained his case and requested that he be allowed to sit for a few papers he was conversant with.

He sat for English, Fine Art, Lusoga, History and Islam.

Lucy Mary Athieno, SGBV specialist with MIFUMI says Mufungiza is a committed prevention champion who is also passionate about uplifting women. Prevention champions create awareness to end SGBV. He does not front money but rather, creating positive impact where he works.

Mary Lucy Athieno

“He has always admired to go back to school and I am very proud of him,” she says.