Surviving the slums, dreaming for the sky: the moving story of Young Reporter Gloria Apio
The Italian Ambassador in Uganda, Domenica Fornara together with Nicole Gloria Apio and relatives ahead of her departure for Italy.
KAMPALA, June 13, 2019 - “My mother told me that I was born a twin, but when she returned home to give our father the good news, he kicked us out of the house into the biting cold of a rainy night that led to my brother’s death,” Gloria Nicole Apio says with a brave but sad face before boarding a plane to Italy, to cover the UEFA U21 Euro as part of the AIPS Young Reporters Programme organised by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in partnership with UEFA.
Apio, now aged 19, is not just a sport journalist. She is a survivor.
She was born in the slum area in Banda, on the outskirts of Kampala, renowned for housing several internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially from northern Uganda. It's an area that accommodates over 100,000 people depending on handwork and stone quarry.
These people earn less than a dollar a day, which also makes it a miracle to find a meal and to provide for their families.
TORRID UPBRINGING Raised there by her single mother, Fortunate Acayo, and having witnessed several crimes and injustices that became part of her life, Apio says being alive alone is a miracle of its own.
She grew up witnessing several incidents of child abuse, rape and even murder, but somehow she managed to steer clear, mainly due to her dedication to studies.
Her mother gathered every effort to raise her and her two other siblings amidst difficult conditions such as working as a house help and babysitting for other parents.
After enduring such a torrid upbringing at the Acholi quarters, Apio has now soared to a promising sports journalism career thanks to the Aliguma Foundation.
EMOTIONAL SEND-OFF Her selfless dedication to volunteering opened doors for her to showcase skills in journalism and public speaking. She’s now nicknamed “Queen of the microphone”.
On Tuesday, she was flagged off to Italy for the June 16-30 tournament by the Italian Ambassador to Uganda Domenico Fornara during a very emotional send-off in her childhood base.
“Sometimes working as an ambassador fills your heart with joy,” Fornara later wrote in an emotional post on his Facebook timeline.
“A strong, young, talented and beautiful young lady who comes from a not easy background who slowly made her way up as a journalist and civil society worker thanks to Aliguma Foundation,” read the Ambassador’s post attached to an image of him hugging Apio.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCE “Sports is a unique experience for all the people. I want to thank Ritah Aliguma for starting this foundation and for introducing slum soccer as part of discovering talents among the youths in Acholi slums," the Italian Ambassador said.
"Press freedom is also fundamental for development. I want to thank the media for doing a good work to report about Aliguma Foundation and the good work they have done to transform peoples lives through sports. To me, Apio is a perfect example of what resilience means. I’ve loved her determination and her life story, too, is touching. This calls for our collective effort to help this girl. I am looking forward to hosting you (Apio) when you return so that you share with me your experiences and learned lessons," said a soft-spoken Domenico Fornara, Italian Ambassador to Uganda.
THE ALIGUMA FOUNDATION Apio is a beneficiary of the Aliguma Foundation that uses sports as a tool to change and impact lives of people in dilapidated communities like slums and war-torn areas among others. From struggling to have a meal in a one-room mud-and-wattle hut, Apio’s education inevitably hit a snag in 2017 after she completed her Advanced Level certificate.
Here is where the Aliguma Foundation came in handy to support her and she enrolled at the Uganda Institute of Business and Media Studies (UIBMS) for journalism studies last year. During her internship, she scaled the heights to feature on the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) TV and Magic FM platforms.
ONLY THE BEGINNING The Foundation reckons it is only the beginning of an illustrious career for Apio.
“The trip to Italy means a lot to us and the entire Acholi Slums community,” remarked Co director Saltray Lubega
“It is life changing and those who have lost hope should learn from Apio's story. It's about belief and determination. We hope for more doors to open for other slum children as this sets an example,” she added.
YOUNG REPORTER In the UEFA U21 Euro, Apio now has a chance to live her dream as one of the 16 Young Reporters from different countries that will gain invaluable experience as they cover training sessions, press conference and matches and produce material for written, broadcasting and social media.
As the rest of the journalists, Apio will travel alongside Italy and San Marino between June 16 and June 30, attending challenging morning lessons, interviewing UEFA ambassadors and enriching from cultural experiences.
A PROMISE Apio hails from a community of more than 100,000 underprivileged people and her rare script has left AIPS and UEFA top honchos in awe. The emotional Apio Nicole Gloria promised to keep the flag high and also make the entire community proud.
"I thank God for giving me a life time opportunity, I promise I won't let you down, I will do my very best. I believe my story will change very many people in our community.
And in her Facebook post she wrote, "Who knew that I a nobody, a girl in the slums could become some... Today I get the flag off by the ambassador of Italy. Thanks to God
Thanks to Aliguma Ritah, Thanks to Aliguma foundation, Thanks everyone! Let's go to Italy.”
APIO’S FACT FILE
Full name: Nicole Gloria Apio
Date of birth: August 20, 1999 (19)
Place of birth: Nakawa, Kampala
Height: 1.49m
Playing position: midfielder
Current team: Aliguma foundation women's team
School: Institute of Business and Media Studies... Journalism
Job: The Aliguma foundation coordinator
Nickname: Queen of the Microphone
Role model: Romelu Lukaku, Coach Hadija Namuyanja, Kristine Leahy (Fox Sports)
Favourite Club: Manchester United
WHAT THEY SAY
Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel, NCS Acting General Sectary:
“We are all partners in developing our societies. As government, the NCS has partnered with Aliguma Foundation and without mentioning numbers we shall unveil our package to them in the near future”.
“What Apio has achieved is not a minor thing and we hope to work with her and Aliguma Foundation in future, said the National Council of Sports Acting General Secretary Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel, before handing over 20 balls to Saltray Lubega, the Co-Director, Aliguma Foundation”.
Rogers Byamukama, FUFA Executive Committee Member:
“Sports is one of the opportunities that can help people emancipate themselves. Slum soccer is an opportunity to mobilize the children and make better individuals in the society.”
“I want to thank the people of Acholi for embracing Aliguma Foundation. I personally, I pay school fees for one the kids in this foundation and I hope to continue until he finishes his studies.”
Leon Ssenyange, USPA vice-president:
“First and foremost, Apio is the third female sports journalist from Uganda to benefit and participate in the AIPS Young Reporters Programme.
“It is a huge achievement for her. And I advise her to go and make the most of it. Please, Apio, go learn and come back make an impact here at Acholi Quarters. This world is all about looking out for your own and helping to make a positive impact. Go and enjoy the experience”.
Elijah Njawuzi, UOC Administrator:
“Aliguma Foundation has our backing. As Uganda Olympic Committee, we support such initiatives through our Olympism and solidarity programmes.”
“Olympism seeks to create a way of life by blending sport with culture, education and international co-operation and that is what Aliguma Foundation is doing here. To Apio, we wish her the best of luck and hopefully we will engage with her when she returns.”
Apio, now aged 19, is not just a sport journalist. She is a survivor.
She was born in the slum area in Banda, on the outskirts of Kampala, renowned for housing several internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially from northern Uganda. It's an area that accommodates over 100,000 people depending on handwork and stone quarry.
These people earn less than a dollar a day, which also makes it a miracle to find a meal and to provide for their families.
TORRID UPBRINGING Raised there by her single mother, Fortunate Acayo, and having witnessed several crimes and injustices that became part of her life, Apio says being alive alone is a miracle of its own.
She grew up witnessing several incidents of child abuse, rape and even murder, but somehow she managed to steer clear, mainly due to her dedication to studies.
Her mother gathered every effort to raise her and her two other siblings amidst difficult conditions such as working as a house help and babysitting for other parents.
After enduring such a torrid upbringing at the Acholi quarters, Apio has now soared to a promising sports journalism career thanks to the Aliguma Foundation.
EMOTIONAL SEND-OFF Her selfless dedication to volunteering opened doors for her to showcase skills in journalism and public speaking. She’s now nicknamed “Queen of the microphone”.
On Tuesday, she was flagged off to Italy for the June 16-30 tournament by the Italian Ambassador to Uganda Domenico Fornara during a very emotional send-off in her childhood base.
“Sometimes working as an ambassador fills your heart with joy,” Fornara later wrote in an emotional post on his Facebook timeline.
“A strong, young, talented and beautiful young lady who comes from a not easy background who slowly made her way up as a journalist and civil society worker thanks to Aliguma Foundation,” read the Ambassador’s post attached to an image of him hugging Apio.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCE “Sports is a unique experience for all the people. I want to thank Ritah Aliguma for starting this foundation and for introducing slum soccer as part of discovering talents among the youths in Acholi slums," the Italian Ambassador said.
"Press freedom is also fundamental for development. I want to thank the media for doing a good work to report about Aliguma Foundation and the good work they have done to transform peoples lives through sports. To me, Apio is a perfect example of what resilience means. I’ve loved her determination and her life story, too, is touching. This calls for our collective effort to help this girl. I am looking forward to hosting you (Apio) when you return so that you share with me your experiences and learned lessons," said a soft-spoken Domenico Fornara, Italian Ambassador to Uganda.
THE ALIGUMA FOUNDATION Apio is a beneficiary of the Aliguma Foundation that uses sports as a tool to change and impact lives of people in dilapidated communities like slums and war-torn areas among others. From struggling to have a meal in a one-room mud-and-wattle hut, Apio’s education inevitably hit a snag in 2017 after she completed her Advanced Level certificate.
Here is where the Aliguma Foundation came in handy to support her and she enrolled at the Uganda Institute of Business and Media Studies (UIBMS) for journalism studies last year. During her internship, she scaled the heights to feature on the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) TV and Magic FM platforms.
ONLY THE BEGINNING The Foundation reckons it is only the beginning of an illustrious career for Apio.
“The trip to Italy means a lot to us and the entire Acholi Slums community,” remarked Co director Saltray Lubega
“It is life changing and those who have lost hope should learn from Apio's story. It's about belief and determination. We hope for more doors to open for other slum children as this sets an example,” she added.
YOUNG REPORTER In the UEFA U21 Euro, Apio now has a chance to live her dream as one of the 16 Young Reporters from different countries that will gain invaluable experience as they cover training sessions, press conference and matches and produce material for written, broadcasting and social media.
As the rest of the journalists, Apio will travel alongside Italy and San Marino between June 16 and June 30, attending challenging morning lessons, interviewing UEFA ambassadors and enriching from cultural experiences.
A PROMISE Apio hails from a community of more than 100,000 underprivileged people and her rare script has left AIPS and UEFA top honchos in awe. The emotional Apio Nicole Gloria promised to keep the flag high and also make the entire community proud.
"I thank God for giving me a life time opportunity, I promise I won't let you down, I will do my very best. I believe my story will change very many people in our community.
And in her Facebook post she wrote, "Who knew that I a nobody, a girl in the slums could become some... Today I get the flag off by the ambassador of Italy. Thanks to God
Thanks to Aliguma Ritah, Thanks to Aliguma foundation, Thanks everyone! Let's go to Italy.”
APIO’S FACT FILE
Full name: Nicole Gloria Apio
Date of birth: August 20, 1999 (19)
Place of birth: Nakawa, Kampala
Height: 1.49m
Playing position: midfielder
Current team: Aliguma foundation women's team
School: Institute of Business and Media Studies... Journalism
Job: The Aliguma foundation coordinator
Nickname: Queen of the Microphone
Role model: Romelu Lukaku, Coach Hadija Namuyanja, Kristine Leahy (Fox Sports)
Favourite Club: Manchester United
WHAT THEY SAY
Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel, NCS Acting General Sectary:
“We are all partners in developing our societies. As government, the NCS has partnered with Aliguma Foundation and without mentioning numbers we shall unveil our package to them in the near future”.
“What Apio has achieved is not a minor thing and we hope to work with her and Aliguma Foundation in future, said the National Council of Sports Acting General Secretary Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel, before handing over 20 balls to Saltray Lubega, the Co-Director, Aliguma Foundation”.
Rogers Byamukama, FUFA Executive Committee Member:
“Sports is one of the opportunities that can help people emancipate themselves. Slum soccer is an opportunity to mobilize the children and make better individuals in the society.”
“I want to thank the people of Acholi for embracing Aliguma Foundation. I personally, I pay school fees for one the kids in this foundation and I hope to continue until he finishes his studies.”
Leon Ssenyange, USPA vice-president:
“First and foremost, Apio is the third female sports journalist from Uganda to benefit and participate in the AIPS Young Reporters Programme.
“It is a huge achievement for her. And I advise her to go and make the most of it. Please, Apio, go learn and come back make an impact here at Acholi Quarters. This world is all about looking out for your own and helping to make a positive impact. Go and enjoy the experience”.
Elijah Njawuzi, UOC Administrator:
“Aliguma Foundation has our backing. As Uganda Olympic Committee, we support such initiatives through our Olympism and solidarity programmes.”
“Olympism seeks to create a way of life by blending sport with culture, education and international co-operation and that is what Aliguma Foundation is doing here. To Apio, we wish her the best of luck and hopefully we will engage with her when she returns.”
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