Denise returns to Uganda to see how much she has helped

Jul 8 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

AGONY Aunt and Journal columnist Denise Robertson last night spoke of her heart-wrenching return to Uganda – five years after she originally visited the war-torn country.

In 2004, Denise flew to the African country alongside the charity World Vision and The Journal in a bid to visit families affected by the country’s Aids epidemic.

But last week she made a life-changing return to the poverty-stricken country. And while in equatorial Africa she was offered the opportunity to re-visit those who had captured her heart.

Among those who she met was Fred Ssemanda, who was just eight when his mother died of Aids and left him to fend for himself and his three-year-old brother Emmanuel.

Denise met the boys in 2004, when they were 11 and six, and was so moved by their plight she returned to the UK determined to do something to help them.

And after years of campaigning and fundraising, Fred is now in full time education and has set his heart on becoming a doctor – with Denise vowing to raise the cash to send him to University.

Denise, a grandmother, from East Boldon, South Tyneside, said: “When I was there last time I met these two little boys in the bush who were bringing each other up.