A 21-year-old Senior Four student of Olila High School in Soroti City, Eastern Uganda, gave birth to a healthy baby girl shortly after sitting for her first Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination paper, despite experiencing labour pains throughout the session.
The student, identified as Alupo Angella, a resident of Acowa Sub-county in Kapelebyong District, was eight months and three weeks pregnant when she began her national exams.
According to school authorities, Alupo endured painful contractions as she wrote her first Geography paper on Monday morning before being rushed to Princess Diana Hospital in Soroti City, where she successfully delivered her baby.
The headteacher of Olila High School, Mr. Joseph Opio, confirmed the incident, describing Alupo’s act as a rare display of strength and academic commitment.
“We picked her up from Princess Diana Health Centre IV in the morning because she insisted she wanted to sit for her Geography paper,” Opio told this publication.
“Despite being in visible pain, she completed the paper. After that, we immediately returned her to the health facility, where she delivered normally without any complications.”
According to Mr. Opio, Alupo gave birth at around 12:00 pm to a baby girl weighing approximately 2.8 kilograms.
Remarkably, just hours after delivering, Alupo expressed her desire to continue with her afternoon examination paper.
“She was brought back to sit for the afternoon paper. It was one of the most inspiring moments for the school community,” the headteacher added.
School administrators and fellow students have since praised Alupo’s resilience and focus.
“She is a brave young woman who has set an example that pregnancy should not stop girls from pursuing education,” said one of her teachers.
Mr. Opio also revealed that Olila High School had two female candidates who were missing at the start of the UCE examinations.
“We are still searching for the other girl who didn’t turn up. Our goal is to ensure that no girl misses out on completing her exams because of pregnancy or other social challenges,” he said.
When contacted, Ms. Joyce Aguti, Alupo’s mother, said she received news of her daughter’s condition while working in the garden.
“I was called in the morning that my daughter was in pain. I rushed to Soroti, and by the time I reached, she had already given birth,” Aguti narrated. “I thank God for protecting her and the baby. I am also grateful to the school for standing with her.”
In an emotional recollection, Alupo said her labour pains began the previous night at around 11:00 pm.
“I thought I could handle it, but my neighbour helped me get to the hospital when the pain became stronger,” she said softly from her hospital bed.
Health workers at Princess Diana Hospital commended the girl’s bravery and quick recovery.
One midwife, who preferred anonymity, said Alupo’s case highlighted the increasing need for teenage mothers to receive social and educational support.
“Many girls drop out once they get pregnant. What this young lady has done should motivate others not to give up,” she remarked.
Educationists and local leaders in Soroti have since called for more community sensitization on the importance of supporting young mothers to complete their education.
They argue that while early pregnancy remains a major challenge in the Teso sub-region, stories like Alupo’s demonstrate that motherhood should not mark the end of a girl’s educational journey.
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