Dr. Kizito B. Lubuulwa is one of the founders of the Uganda Rural Education Equity Program (UREEP), a program designed to promote our culture as a means of ensuring equal access to education for young, vulnerable rural girls. The program also aims to empower and develop these girls through a cultural shift within the community that supports them. Ultimately, our goal is to see a holistic transformation of these communities.
Prior to his involvement in the program, Dr. Lubuulwa lived and worked in several rural primary and secondary schools. This firsthand experience allowed him to recognize that a significant portion of our community consists of girls from peasant backgrounds, particularly those who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS for multiple generations. Unfortunately, many of these girls are forced to drop out of school due to the pressures of cultural expectations combined with poverty and domestic violence. They are often needed at home to care for sick family members, complete domestic duties, and assume familial responsibilities. This sacrifice deprives them of the opportunity to enjoy a carefree childhood and develop into independent, educated individuals.
Dr. Lubuulwa’s teaching positions at multicultural universities further solidified his belief in the power of supportive cultural values in promoting development and nurturing girls into well-rounded individuals. He has witnessed the successful journeys of girls who have become instrumental in transforming their own communities.
By shedding light on these challenges and highlighting the potential for change, Dr. Lubuulwa and the Uganda Rural Education Equity Program are working tirelessly to break the cycle of poverty and exclusion for these rural girls. They believe that education, combined with cultural support, can empower these girls to become leaders and change agents within their communities.
