“Allow us in your schools” – appeals Lira learners with albinism

Although the world says “disability is not inability” – school going children living with albinism fears their potential in academic journey might be cut short by school administrators who are denying them admissions to further their studies.

From the start of last year, many schools in Lira City have been denying learners with albinism admissions to their schools with many saying such learners can’t perform academically and it’s hard to provide for their learning needs.

But these beliefs seem to be contrary to the just released 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results by Uganda National Examination Board.

Emmanuel Louis Okello, a student with albinism, is among those that has made it tremendously at Dara Christian High School in Lira City.

Okello said Dara gave him an opportunity unlike others who kept rejecting him and other learners with albinism.

He said their weak skin color doesn’t represent their inability to excel academically, a perception that many schools even majority of the community members believe.

Dara Christian High School seems to be a place that gives opportunity to every learner with more than 15 students living with albinism pursuing their academic future with them.

With the infrastructure in place, implementation of school rules and regulations and dedicated staff who gave necessary assistance made Okello to be among the best performing students in the region.

Rebecca Akello, another student who sat for UCE in the same school, shared her grievances.

“I grew up as a child with no hope because many would believe I am a course to the community but I had a back up from my parents who could provide all my needs.

“Many schools think we can not perform academically and the negative cultural norms that think any person born with albinism is a curse to the family.

“But, I am a girl who believes in herself. I managed to overcome the negative attitude of people towards those with albinism through my social lifestyle.”

Rebecca says whenever people say anything against her skin color she would come straight and say: “You are just like me; only the skin color because the same blood you have I do have as well.”

The above approach, she said, protected them from the insults from fellow students. “But above all, with the school taking interest in our well being I managed to excel in my exams.”

Ezras Ainebyona, the headteacher of the school, said: “We believe every child has his/her potential irrespective of their physical statuses.

“I am telling you the relationship we have with learners is what matters most,” he said, adding: “At school here, we have different departments that handle different issues like the counseling team, the career team, welfare team that are too close to these learners.”

With the attacks on these learners becoming rampant in some schools, Lira City Council authorities have taken a step ahead, warning and threatening to recommend withdrawal of licenses of the schools cited in promoting stigma.

Andrew Ogwang Oyang, the Lira City Council principal Inspector of Schools warned schools: “It’s not a practice of inclusive education as the educational policy of the country demands from learning institutions.”

Oyang said school authorities should spare their resources and put in place facilities that support their learners. “These are real humans and should be treated equally just like any other normal learner.

“It’s not their wish to have such a skin color,” said Ogwang.