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Last Updated on: 4th January 2021, 11:40 am
Galo Githo Stephen Renny saw his University education crashed 25 years ago out of the Ivory Tower—Makerere University. A student of medicine that time got his dream of being a doctor ended by a dismissal over a lawful student demonstration against cost-sharing, especially for the underprivileged students.
Iowa, (USA) I Tororo (Uganda)—4, January 2021: Galo Githo Stephen Renny’s story is one of the many painful stories in every corner of Uganda. A story every reader must keep nodding his head while reading.
His story has become impactful; it will be a life-changer to many people. “I do not have any words that befittingly describe everyone involved in Galo Githo, which has turned around tides for him. This is a story I am going to request that we give it more pictures to tell the story as Galo Githo Renny Stephen rises from the ashes of Makerere University,” says Mugeni.
Githo’s story has not only transformed his life, but it now embodies an effort to start an institute of social transformation and justice, an image of social transformation and social justice that Githo now carries.
Talking of the relevance of the press, this story must be a special feature story for the many stories that journalism is about. “Whoever wants to destroy journalism for being what it is must be back to the dark ages.”
Galo Githo Stephen Renny saw his University education crashed 25 years ago out of the Ivory Tower—Makerere University.
A student of medicine that time got his dream of being a doctor ended by a dismissal over a lawful student demonstration against cost-sharing, especially for the underprivileged students.
After Makerere University’s Ivory Tower blazed last year, his compatriot, Mr James William Mugeni, wrote his memoirs of some events that occurred in Makerere over the years.
“I remembered Galo Githo Stephen Renny, and through my Facebook account I ran a search story for him,” he said.
Also read:
- Galo Githo bounces back from the raging flames of Makerere
- Uganda needs truth and truce in 2021—the clergy should lead us
“I got deflated when he told me he was talking to me through a borrowed phone. It was a video call that had me cut off the call because I was crying,” Mugeni, now in the U.S. adds.
Confused about what to do for Galo Githo, Mugeni started a campaign in the USA, making him buy him (Galo) a phone. “Once he was connected, I requested him to allow me to do a story about him. He obliged, and I authored a story that the main media newspapers refused to carry. I guess he was not newsworthy.”
This is a story I can tell daily as it has turned into a legend too good to be true. I have mobilized for people’s weddings; I have mobilized for burials, and I would be lying if I have not mentioned mobilizing for Honourable Robert Kyagulanyi the Ghetto gladiator, but I had never had a story with greater impact than the story of Galo Githo Renny Stephen—James William Mugeni.
After several stories published first, by TND News and later other news outlets, a serious campaign for Galo, started.
His friends, former Makerere University students (alumni) came together, and formed a WhatApp Group purposely to contribute support for the man—many knew he would contribute a lot to the country.
The drive is code-named “Rebuilding the Makerere ‘short’ tower”. Members of this group have unanimously exhibited the greatest sign of benevolence. It tells this country why there are people who would contribute much (positively) to the development of the nation, but they have been buried alive.
Some target outcomes in rebuilding ‘short tower’ are: Provide for his immediate needs (personal effects, etc.), purchase land on his behalf; construct a modest house for him.
Others are providing for him an income-generating activity. The suggestion/plan is a grain mill installation. This will include housing for the mill.
Outstandingly, his alumni and friends are ready to support his study; studying a course of his choice.
“When the above is in place, Githo will be up and running. The rest of the ideas can then come in,” his friends believe.
Githo, who had not been in public life for years, let alone the media, is overwhelmed by the responses from his friends.
One day last year, I told him, man, “get ready the world is coming for you”.
Following generous contribution, an acre land has been bought for him in Jinja, and several initiatives have been suggested to save him from ruin.
