Kabale Girl Rides Through Hardship in Pursuit of Becoming a Lawyer
KABALE — Atuheire Blessing Angel, a Primary Seven pupil at Kengoma Primary School, has captured public attention after she was filmed by Bakiga Television riding a bicycle through heavy rain on her way to school—an image that has since inspired support for her education.
Blessing travels about four kilometers every day from Rutenga Cell in Nyabikoni Ward, Central Division, to Nyakijumba village in Kabale Municipality. Despite the long journey, she remains one of the top-performing pupils in her class and is widely described as both academically bright and talented in athletics.
Her class teacher, Twesigye Emanuel, said Blessing consistently ranks among the top three pupils and always arrives at school early despite cycling a long distance.
“She is hardworking and focused. Her performance is excellent, and she is very disciplined,” he said.
Mrs Katureebe Willing, her Social Studies teacher, described her as confident and responsible, noting that she leads school prayers and speaks good English.
Blessing joined Kengoma Primary School in Term One of 2025 after transferring from Kabale Primary School, where she studied from nursery to Primary Six. According to her former headteacher, Nelson Byomuhangi, she was a brilliant pupil and a strong athlete.
At Kengoma Primary School, challenges remain. Headteacher Peace Asiimwe said the government-aided school, established in 1985, faces limited space and inadequate resources.
“We have not registered a first grade for over 10 years. The Diocese of Kigezi has been supporting teachers with small allowances, but more support is needed,” she said, appealing to the government and well-wishers to assist with funding and infrastructure.
At home, Blessing’s situation is equally challenging. Her father, Mr Nfitumikiza Moses, who has seven children, is currently unemployed after thieves stole his boda boda, which had been his source of income.
The bicycle Blessing uses was given to him as a reward for his service as a village defense personnel. He later passed it on to his daughter to help her get to school.
Blessing wakes up at 5 a.m. every day to prepare for school and often travels in the dark, which she says frightens her. She also endures pain from the long bicycle ride, but remains determined to succeed.
“I want to become a lawyer,” she said. “I want to be the voice of the voiceless and fight against people who commit crimes like rape and kidnapping.”
She expressed gratitude to those who have promised to support her education and hopes to study in top schools in Uganda after completing her primary level.
