On 8th March 2025, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day with the inspiring theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This theme encourages us to take meaningful actions toward achieving equal rights, power, and opportunities for all, fostering a feminist future where all young women can thrive. This theme resonates deeply with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, which is dedicated to empowering young women to emerge as transformative leaders and change-makers in their communities. Today, we proudly highlight one of our Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Ms. Winnie Kushaba.
Winnie is a powerful example of what is possible when access to education and empowerment is prioritized for women and girls. Her journey is a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance, serving as an inspiring model for aspiring scientists. By breaking through barriers, Winnie continues to advance her career and contribute to the growing field of chemistry in Uganda, paving the way for future generations of women and girls.
Who is Winnie Kushaba
Winnie Kushaba was born on 21st December 1994 in Rakai District. Challenges marked her early life as she grew up in a complex family environment. Although her biological mother was absent, Winnie was raised by her stepmother and later by her maternal grandmother, with additional support from her maternal aunt. Throughout her childhood, Winnie experienced several transitions as she sought stability. She moved between various locations, including Rakai, Ibanda, Kiruhura, Kazo, and Isingiro, searching for a place to call home. Each transition contributed to her resilience and adaptability, shaping the strong character with which she navigated these changes.
Winnie reflecting on her challenging childhood during the interview at Makerere University.
Winnie speaks openly about her childhood challenges.
“I have never met my biological mother, and I do not know if she is alive or not,” she asserts. “As the firstborn in a family of five children, each from a different mother, I took on the significant responsibility of caring for my four brothers from the age of eight,” Winnie explains. It is this experience that has instilled in her a strong sense of resilience and leadership.
Early Education
At age five, Winnie was enrolled at Katembi Primary School in Isingiro district, where her father was a teacher. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before her father developed a mental illness, which ultimately led to his passing. This tragic event marked the start of Winnie’s educational struggles. Despite these challenges, Winnie was a resilient young girl determined to pursue her education at any cost.
She moved from one school to another, receiving support from generous individuals who provided bursaries for her at various local schools. Winnie attended six primary schools before finally taking her Primary Leaving Examinations at Mwamba Junior School, where her aunt had enrolled her. Despite the numerous school transitions and changes, Winnie excelled in her final exams, emerging as the top student in her school.
Winnie gestures during the interview.
Pursuing Secondary Education…
Winnie’s outstanding performance in the Primary Leaving Examinations earned her a bursary to attend Mwamba Secondary School for her lower secondary education. Shortly thereafter, she was allowed to transfer to St. Catherine Girls’ School in Kiruhura District, where she was welcomed into her paternal grandmother’s home. With the unwavering support of her grandmother and aunt, Winnie not only completed her Form Four final examinations but also distinguished herself as one of the top students at her school. This journey highlights her resilience and determination to pursue academic excellence.
Pursuing High School Education…
After achieving outstanding results in her Form Four examinations in 2010, Winnie felt optimistic about her future and hoped her generous benefactors would support her enrollment in Advanced Level education. However, due to financial constraints, her elderly grandmother and aunt could not afford her high school tuition, which led to a challenging four-year absence from formal education. During this time, Winnie dedicated herself to various community jobs to save money for her schooling.
A compassionate Catholic nun recognized her potential in a positive turn of events in 2014. She offered her a bursary to attend Boncosilli Catholic School in Isingiro district, providing Winnie with a renewed opportunity to pursue her dreams. At Boncosilli Catholic School, she pursued a challenging combination of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics, ultimately earning 13 points in her final examinations. While this score was considered quite good for someone who had been out of school for four years, it unfortunately fell short of the requirements for a government scholarship to attend university. This placed Winnie in another difficult situation, forcing her to remain out of school for another two years.
Unlike her earlier experience in Form Four when she was still relatively young, this time, due to her age, her two-year absence from education attracted the attention of many village men who began asking for her hand in marriage. The situation became so overwhelming that her aunt started locking her indoors during the day, allowing her to leave only in the evenings to protect her from the advances of the village men.
Securing a scholarship through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to attend the University…
When all hope seemed lost for Winnie to attend university, a young man who lived in her neighbourhood and was a student at Makerere University informed her about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarships available at the University. Seizing the opportunity, Winnie boarded a bus to Kampala, Uganda’s capital, for the first time. She collected the scholarship forms, and, as luck would have it, she was awarded the scholarship in 2016 to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany and Chemistry.
Winnie (light blue top) as a fresh student during the orientation organised by the Scholars Program at Makerere University.
At Makerere University, Winnie’s full potential was honed. Despite a challenging childhood that affected her well-being, the psychosocial support and academic assistance from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program played a pivotal role in her journey. With this support, she completed her studies and graduated in 2021.
“Had it not been for the [Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program] Team’s psychosocial and remedial academic support, completing my university education would have been challenging,” Winnie asserts.
After graduating from Makerere University, Winnie began her professional journey with a graduate internship at Bio Fresh Ltd. This company exports fresh fruits and vegetables to the European Union market. Starting her career in the Quality Control department, she quickly demonstrated her skills and commitment. Her exceptional performance as an intern led to a full-time position as a Quality Control Officer. Over the next four years, Winnie continued to advance within the organization, and she now holds the dual roles of Product Development Manager and Internal Control Systems Manager at Bio Fresh. Her progress reflects her dedication and talent in the field.
Impact on the Community….
Through her work earnings, Winnie has significantly impacted her community. She has ensured that her siblings receive a quality education by covering their school fees and supported her paternal aunt by constructing a comfortable home. Additionally, she has played a vital role in helping two young girls from Kaberamaido district return to school.
“With my earnings, I am dedicated to ensuring my younger brothers receive a quality education. One is currently studying for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Gulu University, the other is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at Ibanda University, and the youngest is in form four,” Winnie happily shares. “I have also been able to support two vulnerable young girls from the Kaberamaido District in Eastern Uganda who had dropped out of school by helping them return to their studies because they reminded me of my troubled childhood,” Winnie adds, with a look of satisfaction on her face.
Winnie has also established skills programs to empower young women, especially mothers in Gayaza, a suburb of Kampala. By training and mentoring them in entrepreneurship, she has equipped these women to start small businesses, such as snack production and selling fruits and vegetables. This initiative has enabled them to achieve financial independence and improve their livelihoods.
Looking into the future….
Winnie has a clear vision for her future and confidently shares her aspirations. In the immediate term, she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Quality Control Management in 2026, followed by a PhD in the same field shortly thereafter. Winnie is passionate about conducting research that enhances the quality of crops and plants in Uganda, aiming to make a meaningful contribution to this important area of knowledge. Additionally, as a devoted mother of one, she is committed to creating a nurturing and enriching environment for her children, ensuring they have a fulfilling childhood complete with opportunities she wishes she had.
Winnie (light blue top) enjoys a light moment with her colleagues during her orientation at Makerere.
Message to fellow young women…
Winnie urges young women to remain steadfast while pursuing their dreams, even when faced with challenges and difficult circumstances. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating small achievements and encourages individuals to excel in all their endeavours. No matter the obstacles, she believes in the power of determination and resilience to help them reach their fullest potential.
“I urge my fellow young women in Uganda to remain resilient in the face of challenges. It’s important to actively nurture your dreams and maintain hope, as these are essential for unlocking your true potential,” Winne emphasizes.
Bernard Buteera, the Principal Communications and Public Relations Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, conducted the interview.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated. Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university. “We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.