Aisha Nakayiwa: Rising netball star gains sponsorship for academic excellence

Aisha Nakayiwa, a promising young netball player from Magale Bright Future Primary School in Lwamata Sub-county, has secured sponsorship to advance her education and netball career.

The President of the Rotary Club of Nakasero Central, Barigye Davis, pledged to support Nakayiwa as long as she remains enrolled in the school, citing her exceptional talent and academic performance as a role model for combining sports and education.

Barigye emphasized the importance of nurturing sports talent alongside academics, noting that sports not only improve health but also create opportunities for personal and professional growth. He urged parents to encourage their children to engage in sports from a young age, highlighting its potential to open doors and provide alternative career paths.

The sponsorship announcement was made during a community engagement event on November 3 in Kiboga District, where Rotarians from Nakasero Central and Kiboga Rotary Club handed over a 5,000-liter water tank to the school to aid rainwater harvesting. The event also included a dedication ceremony for eight candidates preparing for the upcoming Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), as well as a tree-planting activity to promote environmental conservation.

Nakayiwa’s Journey

Nakayiwa, who has consistently excelled both in academics and on the court, began her netball journey in Primary One. She has represented Kiboga District in netball games and competed in the National Sports Games held in Lira City this year, earning her a spot on the National Netball Team. Nakayiwa shared that netball has helped her connect with friends across the country and reinforced her love for co-curricular activities.

Challenges in Education Retention

According to the headmaster, Moses Nsobya, many students in the area face challenges staying in school due to their families’ low incomes, which often force children into labor to support their households. Nsobya noted that Nakayiwa’s success story is an inspiration, demonstrating the benefits of balancing sports and education.

Statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) reveal that while 60% of primary school pupils completed P7 in 2017, the transition rate to secondary school was only 61%. This dropout issue persists, with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) reporting a decline in PLE registration numbers from 832,654 in 2022 to 749,254 in 2023. However, 2024 has seen a slight increase, with 793,489 candidates registered.

Supporting Boys’ Education

Barigye also highlighted efforts to promote education for boys, sponsoring three students—Innocent Ssengendi (P5), Chris Kiwalabye (P6), and Dan Ssenabulya (P6)—to ensure they remain in school.

Nakayiwa’s story stands as a testament to how sports can create pathways for academic and personal success, inspiring communities to invest in the holistic development of children.