Health
Oscar Arac Triumphs Out of his Troubled Past to a Makerere University First Class Star
When Arac Oscar was abducted in S.1 at Alito Secondary School in Kole District by the self-appointed ‘messiah’ of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Joseph Kony, his world had come to an end. He could never believe that he could have any other opportunity to shape his future through education.
In those days, the spiritualist rebel group abducted thousands of children and adults to serve as porters and also fill the ranks of Kony’s Army.
But as luck would have it, despite a troubled background, he emerged in the top quarter of his class with a First Class of 4.49 in Bachelor of Environmental Health Sciences housed at Makerere University School of Public Health under the College of Health Sciences.
We walk you his life journey of how he beat the odds to become today’s star. Born to the late Arac George and Esther Akello in April 1987, Oscar doesn’t have any memory of what his father looked like.
When he was born, he was told that his father passed on, shortly after his mother conceived; “My mother was 6 months pregnant. I wasn’t born yet and my father passed away. I am told he was a UPDF soldier who died at a rank of Sergeant. At that time, I am told that there was limited attention to photography in my village. As of today, I can’t figure out how he looked like”
He grew up under the care of his beloved maternal grandfather, the now late Mathias Obuku who stepped in to fill the father gap at Angwengotop village, Amuge Parish, Alito sub-county in Kole district.
His past, he says has shaped his view of life and influenced his life. In 1993, Osar Arac enrolled to Agoma Primary School where completed his Primary Leaving Examination and passed in 2nd division in 2001. He would later be admitted to Alito Secondary School where he studied for only one year but later transferred to Aculbanya Secondary School, also in Kole District in 2003 after the unfortunate abduction incident. He was here until 2005.
Arac recollects the ugly days of his childhood when he was abducted by the LRA when one day in the wee hours of the morning in June 2002 when they invaded his school, a few meters from his home and was abducted alongside other people he can’t recall.
At the age 13 then, Arac says his dream of ever going back to school had been shattered by the incident. It seemed mission impossible but kept patient and resilient until an opportunity presented itself for him to escape.
“I remember I had just turned 13 that year. My Guardian could not afford boarding fees. I, together with other colleagues rented a small room near the School to cut on the cost of living at the school dormitories. One night, the rebels invaded our school and took us along with them,” recalls Arac.
They trekked from Pajule via Pader district into the deep of the jungles. “This was horrific. I used to hear that the rebels would abduct people but had never witnessed. It was my turn. It felt like a dream but I realized I was under captivity when all my freedom was gone. I would spend almost every day of my three months in the bush crying. Sometimes I would fail to walk and they carry me on their shoulders in turns,” says Arac.
What kept him strong was the zeal for education he had. “Escaping from captivity was my priority and I badly wanted to go to back School,” says Arac.
Three months later, he says he, alongside other children were rescued by the UPDF soldiers when the rebel groups were attacked. Eventually, he was handed over to Red cross team which drove him to his home.
But he was living in fear of being abducted again by the rebels. At his tender age, he most times stayed awake in the nights in case the rebels came hunting for him.
This childhood experience however, would later torment his childhood life and subsequently affected his performance at School. But aware of his background, Arac says he knew the meaning of education and knew he would shape his future well only if he studied. He pursued his academics despite the numerous challenges along the way. In 2005 for instance, he passed his Ordinary Level Education with a 2nd Division grade at Aculbanya Secondary School.
He was then, admitted to a missionary School -Comboni College in Lira for his Advanced Level. He obtained 11 points in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture (PCB/A). These marks, earned him an admission to study a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Gulu University in 2008. This was however on Private and he could hardly raise any fees to pursue the course. He was told however that he would win a government slot if he went for a Certificate or Diploma in a tertiary institution.
In fact, his Uncle, Mr. Jasper Okello, an Environmental Health Officer in Otuke District inspired him to pursue a career by doing a Diploma of Environmental Health at Mbale School of Hygiene in 2008 which he enrolled, later graduating with a CGPA of 3.93 in 2010.
“I loved how he conducted himself. Changing the health status of the community he worked in made me love the course. When I joined the course, I found it unique because it was a course where you get field experience by engaging with communities, change their health behaviors and make them responsible for their health,” says Arac.
While at Mbale School of Hygiene, Arac says he juggled between work and studies. He obtained a job as a pump attendant “I faced a lot of financial challenges since I am the bread-winner in the family.”
Following his Diploma, Arac says he tried several job opportunities fruitlessly. He recalls the days he applied to work as a Health Inspector in Kole, Alebtong, and Otuke District but could not get a slot.
After several unsuccessful attempts to get a job, Arac says a friend urged him to join the the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), which at that time was recruiting health professionals and that is how he joined the Army in 2011. Upon completion of his training, he got deployed as a Health Inspector with the Chieftaincy of Medical Services under the Directorate of Public Health, UPDF.
In 2016, he was admitted to Makerere University but could not proceed with the the course because of financial calls. He applied again and in 2018, Arac was admitted on Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Sciences at the School of Public Health, Makerere University.
Being a privately sponsored student, it meant that he had to continue work to secure his tuition and fend family. “The course is so practical and it demanded almost all my personal time. But I pressed on. I am thankful to the UPDF family especially the Education Implementation Board for giving me an opportunity to study,” says Arac.
His inspirational quote is from Harriet Tubman; who once said ‘Every great dream begins with a dreamer.’ I am very excited that I am here as one of the best students,” says Arac.
Arach attributes his outstanding performance to teamwork, and not just an individual effort, a trait he has since learned from the forces.
The Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), College of Natural Sciences, and College of Business and Management Sciences presented graduands for conferment of degrees on the 14th January, 2025 which was the day 2 of the 75th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University that commenced on Monday 13th January 2025.
MakCHS presented a total of 886 graduands including (23) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), (456) Masters and (407) Bachelors. For the second year, MakCHS produced the researcher with the biggest number of publications, Prof. Moses Kamya and he received an award for the achievement.
Speaking to the congregation, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe – Vice Chancellor, Makerere University welcomed everyone to Makerere University’s 75th Graduation. He congratulated the 13,658 graduates, including 143 PhD recipients, 53% female graduates and 47% male graduands who will be awarded degrees through the graduation week. He commended the efforts of staff, parents, and sponsors in supporting the students’ journeys. Professor Nawangwe praised the achievements of Makerere’s Colleges and Schools, he commended MakCHS for the leadership in research and innovation flying the Makerere flag globally. He noted, ‘The College of Health Sciences is our flagship college for research and community engagement. This college accounts for 50% of all research grants won and also 50% of all the publications by the University. The College celebrated 100 years last year, making it the oldest college at Makerere University’.
Prof. Nawangwe reiterated Makerere’s transformation to a research-led institution supported by the government funded Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF). “We are addressing national priorities, such as improving the Parish Development Model and advancing e-governance,” he stated. The Vice Chancellor also congratulated Dr. Crispus Kiyonga on his appointment as Chancellor and urged graduates to leverage their education to create solutions for societal challenges.
Professor Nawangwe advised the graduands thus, ‘We have equipped you with the knowledge and skills that will make you employable or to create your own businesses and employ others. Do not despair if you cannot find employment, instead reflect on the immense opportunities around you and raise them as an entrepreneur.’
Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA) delivered the commencement speech where she called on the graduands to remain resilient and emancipate Africa’s people. Her address titled “The Power of Resilience – African Woman, Find Your Generational Mission and Redefine Your Worth”, Professor LenkaBula highlighted the critical role of African women in shaping the continent’s destiny.
Professor LenkaBula expressed gratitude for being invited to such a significant occasion and extended greetings from South Africa, including from UNISA’s Chancellor, former South African President Dr. Thabo Mbeki. She praised Makerere University for its legacy of academic excellence and contributions to the African continent, emphasizing its role in anti-colonial struggles, post-colonial development, and its steadfast commitment to African unity. She called for a renewed focus on gender equity in academia and leadership, noting the disproportionate burdens faced by women in society. Citing the achievements of Makerere University in gender mainstreaming, she expressed optimism about the role of young leaders in dismantling patriarchal systems and fostering inclusive development.
Professor LenkaBula concluded her address to graduands with a call to action: “Your graduation is not merely a personal achievement but a contribution to Africa’s collective progress. History has thrust upon you the task of creating a future defined by resilience, innovation, and equality.”
In his remarks, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga – Chancellor, Makerere University congratulated graduands upon making it to the 75th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University. Dr. Suruma expressed his appreciation of His Excellency the President and First Lady/Minister of Education and Sports for giving him the opportunity to serve Uganda and for the continuous support extended to Makerere University, requesting the congregation to join him and give them a warm applause. Dr. Kiyonga reiterated President Museveni’s directive to Makerere University to integrate the teaching of political economy across all courses to enhance students’ understanding of the country’s socioeconomic conditions. The directive, welcomed by the university’s top management, will be incorporated into the curriculum to align education with the needs of the people and the nation.
He expressed appreciation that the government has pledged to bolster Makerere’s research funding and he encouraged the University to strengthen partnerships with the private sector to commercialize innovations developed at the institution.
The new Chancellor pledged support to the University management in saving its land and urged that an agro-industrial park be established. “This park would serve three purposes: teaching, generating income, and acting as a demonstration site for communities across the country,” Dr. Kiyonga noted. He also emphasized the urgency of addressing Uganda’s food insecurity, highlighting that 40% of children in the Rwenzori region are stunted, with malnutrition affecting most regions of the country.
Dr. Kiyonga also pointed out Africa’s underperformance despite its vast resources, describing it as a contradiction. “It is our responsibility to change the conditions of our people and ensure Africa rises to its potential,” he urged.
The ceremony was graced by Hon. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, Minister of State for Primary Education, who represented the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni. Other dignitaries included members of Parliament, the judiciary, the diplomatic corps, and academics.
The Minister lauded Makerere University for its dedication to academic excellence and innovation. “Today reflects the resilience, hard work, and commitment of our graduates, supported by the university staff, management, and parents,” she said. The Minister commended the Vice Chancellor and management for fostering research and innovation while urging them to maintain robust quality control systems to uphold the institution’s integrity.
She also reflected on Makerere’s recent milestones, including the commissioning of a new the launch of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. “Your achievements stem from hard work, transparency, and accountability. They set Makerere apart as a leader in higher education,” she noted. Addressing the graduates, Hon. Kaducu encouraged them to apply their skills to solve societal challenges. “Makerere has equipped you with critical thinking and creativity. Use this to seize opportunities, make a difference, and shine wherever you go,” she concluded. During the 75th graduation ceremony held from the 13th -17th January, 2025, a total of 13,658 graduands were awarded degrees and diplomas in various disciplines. Of these, 143 received PhDs, 1,813 Masters Degrees, 243 postgraduate Diplomas, and 11,454 Bachelor’s Degrees. 53% of the graduands are female and 47% are male. 44% of the PhD graduands are female. A total of 491 graduands received first class degrees.
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