Gayaza Junior's pride

By Anthony Mugeere She is Gayaza Junior School's prize girl. She wears a mischievous smile and wants to become an engineer. Her name is Damalie Nalwanga. The soft-spoken 13-year-old looks every inch a victor. It is written all over her face. She talks about it proudly. "I feel excited because I put in a lot of effort," she smiles. "I had a lot of confidence in myself and much trust in God. My teachers and parents were kind and encouraged me to read hard." Hard work really pays. If it didn't, Nalwanga would not have been among the students who will join Gayaza High School. She is already packing her bags. "I like Gayaza High School because it is a sister school to my former school," she explains. "I also want to join my elder sister who studies there." Nalwanga, however, admits that her success cost a high price. In the mock exams, Nalwanga came seventh in class. Little did she know that she would be the best girl in Mpigi district and third best candidate overall in the district. Today, she is an engineer in the making. Her father, Godfrey Lwanga only smiles when he hears of his daughter's choice of profession. So does her mother, Specioza. "It is her choice," Specioza chuckles. Nalwanga is, however, worried that she might not get enough time to read novels while in secondary school. That is her main hobby. But she is at least assured of matooke and meat, her favourite dish. Ekomye