How Canadians are transforming lives in Mayuge

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When Rose Kwikiriza gave birth to triplets in 2013, she had no idea how her life would change. What should have been a moment of celebration for the mother of 10 quickly spiralled into hardship, homelessness and despair.

“I never imagined bringing life into the world would lead to so much pain. After everything was done for me, my husband turned against me,” Kwikiriza says.

Kwikizira’s story featured in New Vision newspaper print edition in 2013. Touched by her plight, a team of Canadian women under the Bonavista mission working in partnership with Watoto Ministries stepped in to offer help.

Led by Sandra Durdle, the Canadian team mobilised resources to support Kwikiriza and her family.

According to Durdle, their first donation was a motorcycle, which the family initially used as a source of income. The team also delivered other household essentials to ease the burden on the growing family.

“We knew that a short-term handout wasn’t enough. We wanted to provide something sustainable, something that could help them stand on their own,” Durdle says.

Durdle said that, encouraged by the family’s progress, they purchased a piece of land and constructed a permanent house for the family. She added that later, when Kwikiriza’s daughter completed a tailoring course funded by the motorcycle savings, they donated a sewing machine and materials to help her start her own business.

Canadians transforming lives in Mayuge district. (Photo by Betty Angatai)

 “We wanted to give more than a roof. We wanted to transform this family with our support,” she said. She said they also set up a small business for the family.

However, Kwikiriza’s happiness was short-lived. Her husband turned violent and took control of all the support items, destroying the business and eventually evicting her from the house that had been built for the family.

“We were constantly fighting. Everything that was donated to help us was taken by my husband. I had no choice but to get my ten children and return to my father’s home in Namutumba district,” Kwikiriza says.

Kwikiriza adds that with the help of Save the Young Mothers-Uganda (SAYM-Uganda) a community-based organisation in Mayuge district, she reported the matter to local authorities and community leaders. Her case was investigated and was rightfully returned to her home.

“With the intervention of local authorities and members of the community, justice prevailed. I was able to reclaim my home. I thank God for the people who never gave up on me. I now sleep in my house peacefully,” Kwikiriza said.

2025 visit 

During a June 2025 visit to her home, the Bonavista team reconnected with Kwikiriza and stocked a retail shop that had been set up for her.

“They didn’t just give me a house and a business, but they gave me back my voice, my dignity and a second chance at life,” Kwikiriza says.

“I am now assured of a reliable source of income to fend for my children,” she says smilingly.

Another story of transformation

Kwikiriza’s story is just one of many. In Lugolole trading centre, Mayuge's Baitambogwe sub-county, Pascal Baabula, a father overwhelmed by medical bills after his son was diagnosed with cancer, also received support. The Canadians built a house for him and established a retail shop to sustain his family.

“I had no one else to turn to but these people gave me back my life,” Baabule said during the visit.

Eliza Mouland Swyers, a member of the Canadian mission team, said their original intention was to support the treatment of the ailing child. Sadly, their help came too late.

“Our plan was to cover the hospital bills and do everything possible to help the child recover. Unfortunately, he passed away before we could intervene,” Swyers said.

Despite the loss, the team did not abandon the grieving family. Instead, they redirected their efforts toward uplifting and transforming the lives of the surviving family members.

“We knew the pain of losing a child was unbearable. So, we decided to stand with the family in a more meaningful way by helping them rebuild and move forward,” she added.

Beyond individual families, the Canadian team has extended its compassion to the community with a special focus on empowering vulnerable populations, particularly teenage mothers in Mayuge.

Through their collaboration with Save the Young Mothers-Uganda, they have launched a vocational skills development program offering free tailoring lessons to young mothers who had dropped out of school or faced early pregnancies.

“We believe that when you give a girl a skill, you give her a future,” Daniel Saire, the communication officer at Save the Young Mothers- Uganda, said.

He noted that the Mayuge district is grappling with the challenge of high teen pregnancies and early marriages.

According to Milly Kayaga, the Mayuge district senior probation officer, the teen pregnancy rate stands at 25%.

“We are happy that many girls are not just learning to stitch clothes, they’re stitching together a new life filled with purpose and dignity,” Saire said.

Supporting education in schools

In Nabeta Primary School, located in Bukatube sub-county, over 500 pupils have received school uniforms and scholastic materials. The team also donated reusable sanitary pads to girls.

“For many of these children, it was their first time wearing a school uniform. Some used to come to school in torn clothes, and others were almost unidentifiable on the way to school.” Franklin Mudusu, the headteacher, said.

Peace Naguyo, a primary five pupil, expressed gratitude for the support.

“I had never had a school uniform because my guardians couldn’t afford one. Both of them are blind and have no income to buy uniforms or school materials. This is the first time to have one and I feel proud to wear the same uniform as my classmates,” she said.

Mudusu commended them for their support, noting that the support has not only boosted the children’s morale but also improved school attendance and discipline.