Born without arms, Odia is determined to become Lango's next top lawyer
After four years of dedication, hard work, perseverance and struggles, Odia is confident of wrapping up lower secondary school with flying colours. He is eyeing 'A's in all the compulsory subjects at UCE and in the optional Lango Language and ICT.
Innocent Odia demonstrates how he writes and ready to write UCE exams using his mouth. (Credit: Joseph Ekol)
For someone born without arms, Innocent Odia writes incredibly neatly — using his mouth.
And the 19-year-old Senior Four finalist from Uganda's northern district of Kole is determined to achieve his dream of becoming a top lawyer.
For now, his immediate focus is on passing the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations.
Although Odia is a student of Akalo Comprehensive Secondary School in Kole, he and fellow candidates of the school are registered to sit their final exams at Lira Town College in Lira City.
Innocent Odia's teachers say Odia has been an outstanding student in classwork, with many fellow students desiring to be named in his group during team assignments. (Credit: Joseph Ekol)
He scored aggregate 15 in the 2022 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) at Akalo Primary School, which earned him sponsorship and support from different well-wishers.
Among them was the family of the late Supreme Court judge, Ruby Opio Aweri, who funded his education from Senior One until Senior Four.
His teachers say Odia has been an outstanding student in classwork, with many fellow students desiring to be named in his group during team assignments.
Born without upper limbs, Odia had to improvise when it came to writing. He does not have specialised tools to aid his oral writing; he depends entirely on his mouth to get the work done. And impressively so.
Innocent Odia (C) and his parents. (Credit: Joseph Ekol)
Odia desires to complete Advanced Level (upper secondary school) education on his way to becoming a celebrated lawyer in Lango sub-region.
At A'Level, he wants to do a science combination of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and ICT (PCM/ICT).
During the candidates’ dedication prayer held at his school on October 1, Odia was recognised as the most disciplined student of his class
Parents, local leaders and well-wishers thronged the podium to offer him encouragement as well as financial support to motivate Odia to work towards achieving his dreams.