News
Pig attack survivor dreams of becoming a lawyer
His journey from the childhood attack to advanced-level education has been marked by physical challenges, family hardships and loss. Yet, with determination and support from well-wishers, he has continued pursuing his dreams.
Amos Mukhwana's journey from the childhood attack to advanced-level education has been marked by physical challenges, family hardships and loss. (Photo by Andrew Nakhaboya)
By: Andrew Nakhaboya, Journalist @New Vision
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BUDUDA – At just two months old, Amos Mukhwana was too young to understand the danger around him. But in 2004, a pig dragged him from his bed, dragged him to a nearby banana plantation, leaving him with severe injuries to his left hand and leg. In the process, Mukhwana lost part of his left hand and leg.
More than two decades later, Mukhwana is preparing to complete Senior Six, with hopes of becoming a lawyer and defending the rights of persons with disabilities.
His journey from the childhood attack to advanced-level education has been marked by physical challenges, family hardships and loss. Yet, with determination and support from well-wishers, he has continued pursuing his dreams.
More than two decades later, Amos Mukhwana is preparing to complete Senior Six, with hopes of becoming a lawyer. (Photo by Andrew Nakhaboya)
How attack happened
It all started when Mukhwana’s mother left home to collect sand for smearing the family house, leaving him on a bed with his sibling, Simon Wamono.
One of the family’s pigs, which had recently farrowed and was reportedly searching for food, entered the house, pulled the infant from the bed and dragged him into a nearby banana plantation.
When his mother returned, she noticed that one of her children was missing. After searching around the house, she heard a baby crying from the plantation.
She rushed towards the sound and found the pig attacking her child. Her cries for help attracted Mukhwana’s grandfather, who hurried to the scene and chased the animal away. However, the infant had already sustained serious injuries.
The family later killed the pig and distributed its meat to people who wanted pork.
Mukhwana was rushed to Bududa Hospital before being referred to Mbale for specialised treatment. Despite efforts to save him, his left hand and leg could not be saved.
Mukhwana said his parents separated after the incident, leaving him under the care of his grandmother.
His grandfather, who had been supporting him, died in 2013 when Mukhwana was nine years old. At the time, he had not yet started school, leaving his future uncertain.
However, a relative, Michael Watalunga Wanditi, who was married to his grandfather’s sister, stepped in after learning about his circumstances.
In 2013, Wanditi took him to Arlington Academy of Hope and secured him a place to begin primary education.
Mukhwana later received a sponsorship from Robert Mackay, a philanthropist from the United States, which enabled him to continue studying despite financial challenges.
At the age of 15, he sat his Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), scoring aggregate 20. He joined Bukedea Comprehensive School for Senior One and Senior Two before moving to Faith High School, where he completed Senior Three and Senior Four, obtaining a first grade.
He later returned to Bududa District and joined Hawthorne Scribner High School for Advanced Level education.
Turning pain into purpose
At Hawthorne Scribner, Mukhwana is pursuing Divinity, Entrepreneurship and Art with Information and Communication Technology (DEA/ICT). He said he wants to become a lawyer to help persons with disabilities facing discrimination, oppression and neglect.
His ambition is also shaped by his personal experiences and concern for others. His longtime friend and classmate, Joseph Wabusa, who has studied with him since Primary One, describes Mukhwana as disciplined and willing to correct fellow learners when they misbehave or disregard teachers’ instructions.
Wabusa said Mukhwana’s determination to defend vulnerable people grew stronger after he encountered people assaulting a person with a disability.
When he challenged them, they reportedly turned against him. At school, Mukhwana has also earned the respect of his teachers.
However, a relative, Michael Watalunga Wanditi, who was married to his grandfather’s sister, stepped in after learning about his circumstances.
More than two decades later, Amos Mukhwana is preparing to complete Senior Six, with hopes of becoming a lawyer. (Photo by Andrew Nakhaboya)
In 2013, Wanditi took him to Arlington Academy of Hope and secured him a place to begin primary education.
Mukhwana later received a sponsorship from Robert Mackay, a philanthropist from the United States, which enabled him to continue studying despite financial challenges.
At the age of 15, he sat his Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), scoring aggregate 20. He joined Bukedea Comprehensive School for Senior One and Senior Two before moving to Faith High School, where he completed Senior Three and Senior Four, obtaining a first grade.
He later returned to Bududa District and joined Hawthorne Scribner High School for Advanced Level education.
Turning pain into purpose
At Hawthorne Scribner, Mukhwana is pursuing Divinity, Entrepreneurship and Art with Information and Communication Technology (DEA/ICT). He said he wants to become a lawyer to help persons with disabilities facing discrimination, oppression and neglect.
His ambition is also shaped by his personal experiences and concern for others. His longtime friend and classmate, Joseph Wabusa, who has studied with him since Primary One, describes Mukhwana as disciplined and willing to correct fellow learners when they misbehave or disregard teachers’ instructions.
Wabusa said Mukhwana’s determination to defend vulnerable people grew stronger after he encountered people assaulting a person with a disability.
When he challenged them, they reportedly turned against him. At school, Mukhwana has also earned the respect of his teachers.
Charles Goberwze Lwanga, the headteacher of Hawthorne Scribner High School and Mukhwana’s Entrepreneurship teacher, described him as hardworking and sociable.
Lwanga said Mukhwana is keen on following up on issues affecting him, particularly when he feels they have not been adequately addressed.
Challenges
But as Mukhwana prepares to complete secondary school, the cost of pursuing higher education and managing his disability remains a major concern.
Mukhwana said one of his biggest challenges is accessing an artificial leg, which costs approximately sh2m.
Because he is still growing, Mukhwana said he needs an artificial limb replacement almost every year to maintain proper balance and mobility. Without a suitable artificial limb, walking comfortably and carrying out daily activities becomes difficult.
Statistics
Mukhwana is among the school’s 2026 Senior Six candidates and is scheduled to sit his first Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) paper in Divinity on Wednesday November 11.
He joins the 203,809 candidates across the country who started writing their UACE written examinations today (November 9, 2026).
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), this year's candidature has increased by 22.4 per cent from 166,400 candidates registered in 2025.
Of the candidates, 106,361 are male, representing 52 per cent, while 97,448 are female, accounting for 48 per cent.
The examinations are expected to be conducted at 2,986 UACE examination centres countrywide, according to UNEB's earlier 2026 registration projections.
The examinations will run until December 5, 2026.
Amos Mukhwana, wearing a white shirt discussing with fellow students. (Photo by Andrew Nakhaboya)
Lwanga said Mukhwana is keen on following up on issues affecting him, particularly when he feels they have not been adequately addressed.
Challenges
But as Mukhwana prepares to complete secondary school, the cost of pursuing higher education and managing his disability remains a major concern.
Mukhwana said one of his biggest challenges is accessing an artificial leg, which costs approximately sh2m.
Because he is still growing, Mukhwana said he needs an artificial limb replacement almost every year to maintain proper balance and mobility. Without a suitable artificial limb, walking comfortably and carrying out daily activities becomes difficult.
Statistics
Mukhwana is among the school’s 2026 Senior Six candidates and is scheduled to sit his first Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) paper in Divinity on Wednesday November 11.
He joins the 203,809 candidates across the country who started writing their UACE written examinations today (November 9, 2026).
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), this year's candidature has increased by 22.4 per cent from 166,400 candidates registered in 2025.
Of the candidates, 106,361 are male, representing 52 per cent, while 97,448 are female, accounting for 48 per cent.
The examinations are expected to be conducted at 2,986 UACE examination centres countrywide, according to UNEB's earlier 2026 registration projections.
The examinations will run until December 5, 2026.