Berkley Center

Background: As part of the Education and Social Justice Project, in June 2012 undergraduate Shea Houlihan interviewed Francis Okwera, whose family gave 98.5 acres to the Society of Jesus, East African Province, for the purpose of building a school, which later became OCER Campion Jesuit College. Francis has one son at OCER, Walter Okwera, in addition to several nieces, nephews, and several other family members. In this interview Francis Okwera discusses his family's role in starting OCER, his thoughts on OCER's contribution to education in Uganda, and his hopes for the future of education in his country.

What is the history of your family’s possession of this land?

This land is the customary land of my grandparents. We heard from our local MP that Jesuits were looking for land in northern Uganda to build a school as this area was reconstructed after the war. Our MP, Regan Okumu, came to the area, and I met him. I was a councilor for the sub-county, and this was my parish.

We started talking with the Jesuits. Some of our brothers wanted the Jesuits to buy the land, and so they refused to contribute their share of land. Eventually, my brothers Rogers Ochan and Amnoni Okumy and I agreed to contribute 98.5 acres. This is good land. It has a high water table, and the soil is rich. All these buildings [the first classrooms, offices, and rooms] were built using material that came from here—the mud, the clay, the sod for bricks, our spring water. We only got cement from elsewhere.

Where do you live now?

I live just on the eastern side, on land just bordering OCER. I also have land with the western side, as does Rogers.

What was your motivation in giving this land to the Jesuits?

In this region, we don’t have a standard school. In our family especially, we have land, but our children did not go into higher education. We decided that if we gave the land for the better education, the only conditions we had were these: build a school and create a developmental program.

How do you think your land has been put to use?

We are very pleased because now as the Jesuits came, we are now having employment. The majority of the people working here are from our family—almost 24 workers here. Rogers and I are work supervisors for projects.

What does OCER offer that other schools in northern Uganda cannot offer?

We are very pleased. The standard of education here in OCER is different from the standard in the district especially. The performance of schools, especially P7. Almost every year, they give first year in the district—they are the one leading.

We check on their progress of our children in the classroom. Me and my brothers have five children here. Our extended family has kids here, too. Our children did not speak English very well, and there is a major improvement now at OCER.

What are your hopes for the children here?

At the moment, we want education first. Through education they will have the self-dependence. These children can help us; our standard of education is low.

I want my children to work here. Once they have enough education, they can come back and be employed here. We want them to stay here in Gulu—in university or another institution.

Broadly speaking, what do you think is the role of education in peacebuilding and reconstruction?

I think first of all, because we have a lot of conflict among the family, if OCER can serve as a peace center—teach the community—it will be good. You find land rambling, some minor conflict. This caused a lot of conflict—[for example] you [would] kill your brother. Now counseling is here.

What would you say to other parents interested in donating land for the purpose of education?

When you see your land put to good use with your own eyes—when you see how your children benefit—that is very good.