Here’s what you should be aware of:
- She credited her success to the support from her teachers, her husband, and her classmates, who looked up to her as they would their own mother.
Mrs. Mary Masibo, a 40-year-old mother of three, has surpassed both her age and societal expectations by achieving an impressive score of 11 points in her Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations.
Ms. Masibo, who left school in 2005 because of financial difficulties with tuition, chose to return to education in 2023 by joining Senior Five at Sironko Parents Secondary School.
“I left school due to issues with tuition costs, yet deep down, I knew I had to finish my education to grow into a self-assured and capable woman,” she stated.
Ms. Masibo's aspiration became a reality when she was chosen as one of 150 pupils funded by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Budadiri East in Sironko District, Mr. Isaiah Sasaga Wanzira.
"Once I secured the sponsorship, I felt uncertain; however, my resolve outweighed my anxieties. Although I needed to transfer schools, those initial days were challenging since people seemed to view me more like an attraction for tourists rather than a student," she explained.
In spite of the difficulties, Masibo remained determined and attained her objective. She credited her success to the support she received from instructors, her spouse, and classmates who regarded her as family.
Masibo’s tale serves as a source of motivation for numerous individuals, particularly young mothers who have left schooling behind. Her hope lies in inspiring these women to go back to school and finish their education.
Masibo stated that he aspires to be a lawyer with the aim of defending women’s rights, particularly those living in remote areas where they seldom receive fair treatment.
As a female city counselor for Bukiiti Town Council, serving areas within Bugambi Sub-County and Bunyafwa Sub-County at the district level, Masibo aims to leverage her expertise to bring about meaningful change in her local area.
"I think my choice will motivate mothers with daughters who have left school because of early pregnancies and various reasons within the district to persuade them to come back and continue their education," she stated.
Mr. Yofesi Malenga, the Sironko Parents Secondary Academic Registrar, commended Masibo for her diligence and commitment.
He mentioned that she is highly disciplined and consistently performs well since joining. They were unsure how she would balance being a mother, a wife, and a politician," stated Mr. Malenga.
Mr Isaiah Sasaga Wanzira, who serves as the director of Sironko Parents Secondary School and is a Member of Parliament representing Budadiri East constituency in Sironko district, likewise praised Masibo for her accomplishment.
"Masibo's narrative and scholarly achievements will motivate others. It demonstrates that factors like age and associated obstacles shouldn’t prevent someone from pursuing their education," he stated.