‘Doctors did all they could and left the rest in God’s hands’

By Favour Maombi Vera

Resilience and determination might be seen in the lives of many of the 1,274 graduates in the July 3, 2026 ceremony at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono campus. However, those virtues are especially evident in the life of Nelson Agurama, age 30, from Kakoro, Butebo District in eastern Uganda. 

The story of this recent graduate with a Bachelor of Laws degree from UCU is one of loss of his father’s love, primary school caning for tardiness due to chores at home before walking long distances. 

Agurama’s story is also marked by the death of his secondary school sponsor, unfair treatment by a relative, job loss and, in his final year while pursuing his Bachelor of Laws degree, severe burns from the explosion of a gas cylinder while a neighbor was cooking.  

At times, he saw his life as similar to the Bible story of King David, who rose from a humble shepherd boy to become the king of Israel.

Starting with the horrific accident of the cylinder, Agurama, the last-born of a family of 12 and the first to go to university, recounted his trials with appreciation to God and the people whom God used to help him. 

“The cylinder exploded and the fire spread,” he recalled of the mishap of three years ago around the Christmas holiday. “It made a sound like a bomb.”

Agurama, then age 27, and a girl in his compound were the primary victims of the fast-spreading fire. 

He said he initially ran into the store where the gas cylinder was, unaware that the flames were following their source. Moments later, he felt compelled to leave.

“I think it was God’s voice,” he said. “By the time I kicked the door open, the fire had reached it, so I had to pass through the flames, burning my arms and face.”

Agurama remembered overwhelming pain as he saw his skin peeling off,  followed by a visit to a clinic that brought little relief, a hospital stay paid for by a classmate’s parents and the news that one of the fire’s victims had died. 

“The doctors did all they could and left the rest in God’s hands,” he said. “I was in so much pain. I asked God to take me if it was my time…immediately after saying those words, the pain reduced.”

Later, he resumed his studies covered with bandages, while still in pain,

Agurama Nelson, a recent UCU graduate with a Bachelor of Law degree

with the added burden of unpaid tuition. That was when his story reached the American-based NGO Uganda Partners, which awarded him partial scholarship funds to help him reach the UCU School of Law finish line.

Even then, life has never been easy for Agurama. 

He lost his father at a young age. 

“I never enjoyed daddy’s love,” he shared. He is his father’s only child who was fortunate to reach university level. 

His breakthrough came through a gentleman, Henry Kirya, from his village, and through him, he managed to join secondary school. Unfortunately, the gentleman passed on immediately after he completed Senior Six.

Agurama then moved 150 miles from Teso to Kampala to stay at his uncle’s home.

In May 2022, he joined UCU.  From various jobs, including a court clerk position, he could afford tuition, rent and other personal needs, as well as paying some school fees for younger children in the family. 

In 2023, he started facing challenges at work; his contract expired and was not renewed. 

“I sold out some of my electronics and other valuable things. I had to clear tuition, pay rent, plus get food. I was in my second year, studying law,” he said. “My faith in God kept me moving and gave me strength.” 

Agurama was able to complete his studies at UCU partly with tuition help from Uganda Partners. For this, he is grateful. On July 3, 2026, he graduated from the School of Law. 

“I thank Uganda Partners for hearing my cry,” he said. “I urge anyone in a position to help to reach out to students in need and help them achieve their dreams.”

He is hoping for funds as he waits to join the Law Development Center (LDC) in January 2027. To practice law in Uganda as an advocate, every lawyer is mandated to undertake a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at LDC.

Agurama describes his relationship with God as strong, which he attributes, in part, to growing up in a Christian family. With a smile, he shared how his faith sustains him. 

“God will not come to pick you if you are just sitting idle. When you take a step, He will come to get you from where you are and help you out,” he said. 

When not focused on his career, Agurama enjoys reading. He hopes to travel more and get married someday. 

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To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

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