During that time, the struggle for independence in East Africa was at its height and studying sciences was not a bed of roses, given the racial sentiments that were prevailing.



The college was being run by Europeans and Asians, some of whom could hardly visualise an African becoming an architect.



“We were only a few Africans and our European and Asian teachers considered us to be academically inferior.”



“One of them even told us openly that there was no way we Africans, who slept in huts, could appreciate architecture. He said we would not serve in the profession during their time,” recalls Ssentoogo.



Because of the low social standing the Africans had in the mind of the Europeans, Ssentoogo and his contemporaries were given a three-month orientation to learn European social graces, including dance and table manners, before they started to do the course.



Ssentoogo was at one time so discouraged by this discrimination that he wrote to the Ugandan government, requesting to be transferred to another college.



He got no response. Thereafter, he vowed to continue with the struggle, whatever the cost.



At one time, he had to arrange with a Goan student, to assist him in the technical drawing subject, where he was not competent. Ssentoogo would pay for this service with a percentage of his allowance.



Despite these challenges, Ssentoogo’s determination to accomplish his mission prevailed. He finished the first part of the course in Nairobi and proceeded to London Polytechnic and later University College, London, where he did the final part of the course. He later joined the University of New Castle, where he did a post-graduate course in town and country planning.



On completion of the course, Ssentoogo embarked on a successful and admirable career, which disproved the predictions of his teachers.



NZE KAMWEYITILE ROTARIAN HENRY SSENTOOGO KUBA WENSINGA OKUMUTEGELERA.So brothers and sisters in the diaspora,just hang in there a little longer...sosolye bwataffa atukka kulyengedde.