Despite the challenges he has faced throughout his life, Ntege Jimmy James has refused to let his disability define him. Confident, determined and full of energy, the Senior Five student has become an inspiration to many Ugandans through his advocacy for children’s rights and the inclusion of persons with special needs.
In recent weeks, videos of Ntege speaking passionately about the rights of the boy child and fellow children with special needs have gone viral on social media, earning him widespread admiration.
Among those touched by his message is National Unity Platform president and musician Bobi Wine, who praised Ntege after watching one of the videos.
“That young man Ntege, if you don’t know him, then you don’t know,” Bobi Wine remarked, describing him as an inspiration to many people.
Ntege is currently a Senior Five student at St Maria Goretti Secondary School Katende. His journey in education nearly came to a halt because of financial difficulties faced by his family. However, following an interview he gave on BBS TV, the school offered him a full bursary, enabling him to continue his studies.
His mother had been struggling to keep him in school due to a lack of school fees and other necessities.
Ntege dreams of joining the medical profession. While many people assume he would like to become a surgeon, he has chosen a different path. He hopes to become a pharmacist.
According to Ntege, his condition causes involuntary shaking, making surgery an impractical career option. Instead, he believes pharmacy will allow him to fulfil his desire to help others, especially people living with disabilities.
“I want to treat people with special needs. If God blesses me with money, I will create a foundation,” he says.
Speaking during his BBS TV interview, Ntege reflected on some of the challenges he faced while growing up. He recalled how some fellow pupils initially misunderstood him because of his facial expressions.
“Some children were scared of me, while others thought I was trying to be funny,” he said.
However, as they got to know him better, their attitudes changed and they eventually became his friends.
At the centre of Ntege’s inspiring story is his mother, Nakitto Annet, whom he describes as his superhero.
“She can die for me,” he says.
Nakitto currently works a casual job in the Middle East to support her son and ensure he receives an education and the care he needs.
Ntege says his father rejected him at birth because of his disability.
“He said he does not father children with disabilities,” Ntege recalls.
Today, he knows very little about his father apart from reports that he lives in Kasawo and may have been imprisoned over criminal offences.
“The highest amount I have ever received from my father was Shs20,000, and that was after I told him I had no books,” he says.
While his father was absent from his life, Ntege says his maternal grandparents stepped in and helped raise him with love and care.
“My grandparents from my mother’s side have always been there for me,” he says.
Looking back, Ntege credits much of his confidence to the support he received from his mother, grandparents and teachers throughout his education.
Their encouragement helped him believe in himself and overcome the stigma often faced by children with disabilities.
Today, he uses his growing platform to advocate for greater inclusion and acceptance of children with special needs.
He calls upon parents, schools and communities to stop discriminating against children with disabilities and instead provide environments where they can thrive.
“Children with special needs are human beings like everyone else,” he says.
“Create a favourable environment for them so that they can also go through life like others.”
