“When I was 13 years old, I volunteered at the Entebbe Zoo in Uganda as a junior zookeeper for a week. I would go every day for seven days. My dad would drop me off in the morning for the zoo rounds meetings, where all the zoo staff members met for a morning briefing, and then I would be assigned which animals I would work with that day. I worked with lions, snakes, crocodiles, giraffes etc. I would take photos of my experiences, and at the end of each day, I would write in my journal about how the day went. I learned a lot from my fellow zookeepers, and it was an experience that got me out of my comfort zone.
“I wrote a book about my experience being a junior zookeeper for a week at the Entebbe Zoo (UWEC) in Uganda. The thing that inspired me to write my book was the fact that my former librarian, Mrs. Cathy Kreutter, who is also an author of many books, looked at the article I wrote about being a junior zookeeper at the Entebbe Zoo and thought that it could have a greater potential of turning into a book. She talked to my parents about the idea of publishing the book and following a discussion with my parents, my parents and I agreed to turn the article into a complete book.
“The book took about two and a half years to write. I worked with photographers called Yusuf and Makune Marcellino, a mentor who is also an author called Mrs. Cathy Kreutter, my parents called Mr. Laerence Zikusoka and Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. We edited the text, retook many photos, and designed the layout, cover, and theme. The printing was done at New Vision in Uganda. I first printed 1,000 copies, and my grandmother, Mrs. Rhoda Kalema, sponsored printing some of the first copies.
“My favorite part was when I was going to feed the elephants with other zookeepers on a truck, throwing huge pumpkins to the elephant. The elephant with its big leg squashed the pumpkin, making it flat and mushy. The sound it made when squashing the pumpkin was unheard of as if it was squashing brains.
“Finally, the book was launched in 2021, and around 30 people attended the meeting due to COVID restrictions and space. Others attended one-on-one, like my school principal, Mr. Oscar Musoke. Being able to write and speak to many about my zookeeping experience left an unforgettable memory that would have a long-lasting effect for the years to come.”
As told to Li Feng ’24. Photo by Mr. John Spear.
