Fast Times at Kasese High

Last weekend we were supposed to go to a Senior 4 Farewell Party for Robert, a boy who lives behind us and is Doreen's cousin. Robert is in Senior 4 and is a boarder at King Jesus College in Mubuku. We had full intention of going, but our plans fell through. We learned that Robert was really sad because we deceived him. We felt so bad that we decided to surprise him by going to his school. Elius (his younger brother) came home from Rwentutu this weekend so we took him and their sister, Juliet, with us.

When we arrived, we could not find Robert. So much for our surprise. We asked his teachers and his fellow classmates, but they didn't know where Robert was. After some discussion, one of his classmates figured out where he could possibly be. He took us to the dormitory where Robert stays, which is outside of school grounds, but he was nowhere to be found. After some more waiting and asking questions, we discovered that he was at a friend's house.

We were finally able to find Robert and reunite him with his family. He gave us a tour of the school grounds, which included the dormitories, main hall, and classrooms. We then just sat and chatted for a bit. We met and danced with some of his fellow classmates, which was pretty entertaining. It was definitely worth the surprise visit. Since we are always in a primary school setting, it was interesting to see a secondary school and how it is set up. It was also interesting to interact with the students and talk to them about their classes, exams, etc.

Yesterday, we went to the Senior 6 Farewell Party at Kasese High School for Biira Waziri, the cousin to Juliet, Robert, and Elius. Biira invited us and we were considered to be guests of honor at the event. When we arrived, we were paired up and put in this line that followed the students who were nominated by the class and named “Mr. and Miss Party.” They very much resembled a bride and groom with the rest of the people who were following being the wedding party. We walked down this red carpet and were seated front and center where we could see everything.

The East African, Ugandan, Rwenzururu, and Kasese High School anthems were all sung prior to the start of the program. Our friend, Biira, was an Emcee for the whole party. Together with another boy they introduced the program. For entertainment, the majority of performers were people miming and dancing. Partway through the program, the dance crew called The Invisibles arrived. They were on national television as part of a talent competition. Biira told us that they were not intending on performing, but we had her go talk to them and they said they would. They were really great and definitely entertaining for sure. There were also several speeches given, and Emily graciously took one for the team and made a speech on our behalf. One of our duties as guests of honor was to dance around the cake table with other students in Senior 6 and then help to cut the cake. We danced for quite a bit before cutting the cake. Finally, our final duty of the dance was to open the dance party with a dance. We got to request a song, and of course we chose “Call Me Maybe.” Everyone got really into it and the children from around the neighborhood danced with us also.

I'm really glad we got the chance to go. A Senior 6 Farewell Party is something that we don't have in America, and it was interesting to see something that is a normal part of Uganda's school culture.