By Ritah Mukasa
Different reports point to the fear many Ugandan civil servants have when they clock the retirement age of 60 years. Retiring to nothing can be distressing.
Some wonder how they will survive without a salary while others fear the risks involved in self-employment. On the flip side, Grace Lowita’s story is different.
She can’t wait to hang up her boots because she has invested enough for a comfortable retirement.
Lowita is a social studies teacher at Awach Central Primary School in Awach sub-county, Gulu district in Northern Uganda.
Left with only four years to retire, the 56-year-old owns two fish ponds and is digging the third at her matrimonial home located in Amuru district.
Her husband is a well-established farmer and the couple works together.
Aside from the fish ponds, the couple also owns 250 bee hives, oranges and mango orchards. In fact, she says, they are already earning from their investments.
With that and more, Lowita is set for retirement.
She advises civil servants mostly rural teachers to optimize their salaries and invest in agriculture because it has unlimited opportunities and a ready market.
“We sell the fish, honey and fruits to traders in Gulu, Amuru and the neighbouring districts,” she says.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Grace Lowita (right) with her colleague. Left with only four years to retire, the 56-year-old owns two fish ponds. Photo by Ritah Mukasa
