Shock as Butaleja Teacher Offers to Sell Kidney to Fund Son’s University Education

By Ambrose Wanagoli

BUTALEJA — In a heartbreaking and rare turn of events, a primary school teacher in Butaleja District has revealed that she is willing to sell one of her kidneys to raise tuition fees for her son, who recently qualified for university education.

Ms. Doreen Kobusingye Winter said she has been pushed to the desperate decision after her son, who scored 15 points in Sciences at Advanced Level, missed out on government sponsorship despite hoping to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine degree.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, Kobusingye said she had high expectations that her son’s academic performance would earn him a government scholarship, but the cut-off points proved unfavourable.

“My son worked hard and qualified for university, but I have no means of paying for his education under private sponsorship,” she said. “I have exhausted all possible options and now feel I have no alternative.”

The teacher explained that she is already burdened by multiple loans, making it impossible for her to secure additional financial support for her son’s tuition and upkeep.

Kobusingye further revealed that she ventured into crop cultivation in an attempt to supplement her income and clear some of her debts, but poor returns and economic hardships have frustrated her efforts.

“I tried farming to improve our situation, but the challenges have only increased. Everything has become difficult,” she lamented.

Her story has sparked concern among residents and education stakeholders, with many calling for intervention from government authorities, well-wishers, and charitable organisations to support deserving students from vulnerable families.

As her son prepares for the next phase of his academic journey, Kobusingye remains hopeful that assistance will come before she is forced to take the drastic step of sacrificing her health for her child’s education.