Uganda's boarding schools have a slightly dodgy reputation, in that they're basically Victorian borstals in the sun and quite regularly host dormitory fires, killing tens of students at a time. So you can understand why the threat of being sent to one might put the fear of God into any tearaway British teenager, especially if the threat were sprung on you out of nowhere and you were given absolutely no say in the matter.
In 2011, Rachael Nakaye boarded a plane to Uganda with her mother and younger sister, under the impression that she was going on a three-week vacation. Turns out she wasn't. Instead, she was sent to a boarding school where she had her head shaved, was sexually propositioned by one of her teachers, cowered in classrooms while the school rioted on two separate occasions, and had guns pointed at her by Ugandan police. She was stuck out there for about a year, but she's back now, so I had a chat with her about her experience.
Rachael at boarding school in Uganda.
VICE: Hey Rachael. What were you like before you were sent to Uganda? A terror?
Rachael Nakaye: No, I was good but stubborn—just a typical teen, really. I failed my exams because I was focusing on my athletics. I trained so hard that year and was ready to enter nationals and possibly European trials. I also started taking modeling seriously and was looking for a new agency.
Why did you fly out to Uganda in the first place if you had so much going on in London?
My mom told me I was going to be a bridesmaid to one of my favorite aunties, who used to live in London. There was a wedding, but I never got to go. Instead, my mom told us that she didn't book a return ticket and that we were starting boarding school in five days. I was so angry because I'd already heard about the multiple fires at Ugandan boarding schools that had killed students. Oh, and the caning. My little sister was hysterical.
Did you like Uganda before you found out you were being effectively trapped there?
I love Uganda, but only for a holiday. I think being gay shouldn’t be illegal and women should have the right to an abortion, especially when poverty and HIV rates are so high. It’s not fair. In 2008, I saw a woman stripped and beaten after trying to pay with fake money at a restaurant. Also, they banned hotpants and showing too much cleavage and used to beat you up if you did either, which I could never get used to.
What was the school like?
Most of the teachers were bitches. They started picking on me because I rarely wore my tie, and my skirt was too short because I had it tailored so it could be like a bodycon. I still had to look hot. The worst thing was having all my hair shaved off, and whenever I wore eyeliner, sandals, or did my nails they’d get on me. The wardens threatened to cane me, but my dad had warned them not to.
What was the worst experience you had out there?
The second riot. A teacher punched a student so hard in the face that he flipped over the balcony and broke his leg. All the boys went mad and rioted that evening. They set fire to stuff and threw rocks through the windows. They didn’t care who they hit, but teachers were the main target. After the riot, there weren’t any windows left in school at all.
That sounds pretty serious for a school. Was anyone hurt?
Yeah, there were girls bleeding from being stoned in the face, and one girl lost a tooth and was covered in blood. Then, when we were going to sleep that evening, police ran in with rifles and made us leave in our underwear. I was so scared and ran to try and find my sister, even though all the other girls were shouting that the police would shoot me. Once we got outside, they made us kneel down on the concrete with our hands up, then moved us to the grass and told us to lay facedown into the ground. It started to rain, but if you lifted your head the police would start poking you with their guns.
Jesus. How did you get back to the UK?
I became miserable and suicidal. My parents did everything to try to stop me from coming back and I had to go to the British embassy because my parents had taken my passport. A teacher offered to put me up at his home while I was planning to go to London, but he wanted sexual favors in return. Fuck that. I snuck on the internet, contacted my friend, and made my way back to London. I had to borrow money, but I paid it back a week after I got back.
How's life been since you got back?
Well, I stayed with my friend for a couple of months until my mom took me back home, but I think it's eventually helped us to understand each other better. And I'm studying, have a job that I love, and was scouted by an agency last week, so things are definitely looking up.
Do you think the experience changed you?
[Laughs] Not at all, if I’m honest. It’s probably made me more headstrong, if anything. The hardest thing was leaving my sister behind. She’s doing well in education and she’s well behaved, so I know she’ll be fine.
Good. Do you have any tips for anyone else who might somehow find themselves in a similar situation to you?
Yeah, always look hot, but not too hot because you might get arrested. Keep your legs closed, not matter how much you miss sex, because HIV rates are high and you don't want to get pregnant in a place where abortion is illegal. And stay brave and get back home.
Thanks, Rachael!
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