From presidential vaccine drop to appeal for education

1 February 2026, 18:40

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

In 2012, at Angagura Primary School in Pader District, H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed parents, health workers, and local leaders to launch a national polio and measles immunisation campaign.

The President personally administered drops of the polio vaccine to Amito Elizabeth, a symbolic gesture intended to demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting Uganda’s future.

Her life was later safeguarded through routine immunisations and the careful upbringing by her mother, Ms Labong Concy, a peasant farmer from Lajwat Tek Village, Lajeng Parish, Laguti Sub county.

Thirteen years later, that baby has grown into a healthy, determined young girl. Her name is Amito Elizabeth, she is 14 years old, and she has just completed Primary Seven, passing her Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) with an aggregate of 15.

Today, Amito stands at a crossroads—not because of a lack of ability or discipline, but because of poverty.

Amito’s mother, Ms Labong Concy, a peasant farmer from Lajwat-Tek Village, Lajeng Parish, Laguti Sub county, says her daughter’s story is living proof that government programmes succeed when supported by committed parents.

She is now appealing to the same government that once saved her child’s life to help her continue her education at secondary level.

“I am speaking out today because my second child was born in 2012, and during the polio vaccination launch at Angagura Primary School, President Museveni himself administered the life-saving vaccine drop to her,” Labong said.

She added that she ensured Amito completed all routine vaccinations and later enrolled her in Okinga Primary School, a government-aided school in Acholi-bur Sub county, Pader District.

“Despite being a peasant farmer, I struggled to meet my daughter’s school requirements from nursery up to Primary Seven, but I can no longer afford her secondary education because my first-born is already in Senior Three,” Labong said.

Labong is now respectfully appealing to the President to support her daughter’s secondary education.

“I am appealing to the President to help educate this child whose life he saved; I do not want her education to end at primary level,” she said.

Speaking calmly but with determination, Amito expressed her gratitude to both her mother and the President.

“I thank the President for saving my life through the polio vaccine; without it, I would not be healthy today,” she said.

She described her daily struggle to access education, explaining that she walked about five kilometres on foot each school day from her village to Okinga Primary School.

“From Monday to Friday, I walked to and from school and sometimes studied while hungry, but I never gave up,” she said.

Amito says her dream is to become a doctor so that she can one day save lives and serve her community.

The Deputy Headteacher of Okinga Primary School, Mr Oryema Bosco, confirmed Amito’s good conduct and leadership abilities.

“Amito Elizabeth has been a disciplined and hardworking pupil, and she has also served as a school leader, heading English-speaking and debating activities,” Oryema said.

He added that the government-aided Okinga Primary School presented 45 candidates for the 2025 PLE, achieving strong results:

Division results:

Division One: 2 pupils
Division Two: 41 pupils
Division Three: 2 pupils
Division Four: 0 pupils
Division U: 0 pupils

Pader District recorded a total of 3,505 candidates for the 2025 PLE, achieving 95 First Grades, 1,347 Second Grades, 922 Third Grades, 485 Fourth Grades, 606 in Division U, and 50 absentees.

Amito’s journey highlights the full value of immunisation programmes—from saving a child’s life to producing a healthy learner ready to contribute to national development.

A single drop of vaccine administered by the President in 2012 has resulted in a determined young Ugandan with aspirations of becoming a medical professional.

Her mother appeals that this national investment be protected through support for secondary education, ensuring that a life saved does not become a dream cut short.

Polio and measles are deadly, vaccine-preventable diseases that can cause paralysis, blindness, or death. Vaccinating children is crucial to protect their health, prevent outbreaks, and ensure they have the opportunity to grow up healthy and pursue an education.