When I first met Joachim, I was barely an adult. Straight out of a single-gender high school, waiting to join Uni, I found I was innocent and shy before this bearded fellow I met at a Charismatic Renewal Fellowship. It did not help much when I learned he was eight years older and quite mature in speech and deed. I grew closer to him and when a mutual friend suggested Joachim’s mother had initiated an inquiry about me. I realised I had missed the obvious signs. Not many men tell their mothers about the girl they have their eyes on. When I joined Uni, my family fell upon difficult times, I needed someone I could trust and confide in, and Joachim offered me a kind ear and helping hand.

I discovered I was pregnant in the first semester of my second year at Kyambogo University, where I pursued a four-year-long Food Nutrition course. I called Joachim and told him my HCG test was positive. I was relieved when he took responsibility for the pregnancy. He voiced his opinion against terminating pregnancies because that was cause for the termination of the relationship. I kept the pregnancy discreet from my mother, only opening up to her five months in. She knew. She had only been waiting for me to bring the topic up. When I told her about the child I was carrying in my body. I saw the composure and mask of trust in me she had worn all that time fall apart right before my eyes. She held valid fears from her past experiences. She worried Joachim would flee and I would drop out of school and that my dreams would wither and die. She was hugely disappointed. I remember breaking down with her. I was deeply sad because I felt I had let my mother down terribly. I was guilty because I had not trusted her enough to open up in my first trimester. She held my hand and embraced me. She said she was proud I had not aborted. She was relieved I had returned home. I, amid sobs, promised I would work hard at school, pass my exams and graduate on time. Mama pardoned me, and I felt light again. Joachim told his parents around the same time. He hugely supported me through my journey to motherhood, encouraging me to work hard, pay part of my tuition and refuse to desert me. That was the kind of rejuvenation I needed to overcome a difficult period.

I attended my classes and discussions, sat my finals, undertook an in-house internship and brought forth a girl we named Malaika. I struggled juggling school and motherhood, yet I was keen on breastfeeding the little girl and excelling at school. In the first semester of my final year, I conceived again. Mama shook her head when I told her I was expecting. It was easier. She only encouraged me to do what I had to do to complete my course. I kept my word. I passed all my tests gave birth right before graduating on time in 2019. Mother was excited beyond count, and I knew I’d won her over again. Deep within me knew I had made the right decision in keeping Malaika and Raphael. 

Rhona Namumbejja, 24