Growing up in Nkonge Village, Kyampisi Sub County in Mukono District, Esther Ziribaggwa learned early the meaning of resilience.
Born to Mr. Musisi Godfrey, a farmer, and Ms. Babirye Resty, a market vendor in Seeta, Mukono District, her journey from humble beginnings to becoming Makerere University’s top-performing student in the Sciences is a testament to her determination, hard work, and unwavering faith. She attained a CGPA of 4.77 in the Bachelor of Agricultural and Rural Innovation, a programme taught at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). She will be graduating from Makerere University on 24th February 2026, the first day of the 76th graduation ceremony.
Educational Journey and Navigating the Financial Hurdles to remain in School
Ziribaggwa’s journey to academic excellence has not been smooth. But her parents’ sacrifices laid the foundation for her dreams, even as life presented relentless challenges.
She began her education at Frobel Day and Boarding Primary School and later joined Seeta Boarding Primary School, where she excelled with 9 aggregates in her Primary Leaving Examinations. However, the transition to secondary school presented challenges that tested her resolve.
She joined Mpoma Royal College in Mukono District alongside her sister, who had scored 12 aggregates. Shortly after starting Senior One, their father fell seriously ill, requiring an intestinal surgery, and could not continue to work. With the family unable to pay school fees, both sisters dropped out for a year. It was only through the compassion of the school bursar and the then Head Teacher, Ms. Namazzi Connie, who reduced their fees from 800,000 to 380,000 Uganda Shillings, that Ziribaggwa and her sister were able to return. “The year out of school was a huge setback,” she recalls, “but I focused on catching up. I knew I couldn’t waste this second chance.” Her perseverance paid off. Despite the lost year, she completed her O’ Level with 25 aggregates in eight subjects.
Her A’ Level years were marked by similar challenges. Due to financial constraints, Ziribaggwa attended three different schools. She initially enrolled at Seat of Wisdom Boarding School in Kayunga but was forced to leave when her family could no longer afford the fees. At the time, her father, the family’s sole breadwinner, had undergone a second operation and was unable to work. Her mother, a market vendor, stepped in to support her education and transferred her to Paul Mukasa Day and Boarding Secondary School in Mukono District as a day student. However, the long daily commute was exhausting, leading to a final transfer to Godmark High School in Mukono District where she completed her A’ Level in 2019 with 15 points in Geography, Economics, Agriculture, and Subsidiary Mathematics.
After completing secondary school, Ziribaggwa waited two years before joining university due to financial constraints. Although she had been admitted under the private sponsorship scheme to pursue a Bachelor of Statistics, she was unable to raise the required tuition. Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown, an opportunity arose for her to obtain government sponsorship. At the time, there were no Senior Six leavers, prompting Makerere University to invite applications from candidates who had completed Senior Six within a specified period. The cut-off points across programmes were lowered, enabling her to secure government sponsorship to pursue a Bachelor of Agricultural and Rural Innovation.
Appreciation
She is deeply grateful to the Almighty, her parents, and everyone who supported her educational journey. She is specifically thankful to the Government of Uganda for sponsoring her university education, and to Ms. Namazzi Connie, her O-Level Head Teacher, for subsidizing her school fees. She is also grateful to all her lecturers at CAES and Jesus is King Ministry under the Makerere University Christian Union.
Message of Resilience to Fellow Students
To the students navigating similar challenges, Ziribaggwa shares a message of encouragement. “Never let your situation break you. There’s always going to be challenges, sometimes pushing you to what feels like a point of no return. But those moments should not define your future – they are a test of your resilience. Strive to outgrow them and become a better person, even when the journey feels impossible.”
Career and Aspirations
Ziribaggwa currently works in the extension division of Slow Food Uganda, an agricultural organization based in Mukono District, where her work focuses on women and youth. Although her dream was to become a medical doctor, her love for agriculture has grown over time and does not regret taking on this path. She aspires to become a Senior Agricultural Officer in the country, with the goal of improving farming conditions, particularly in the rural communities. Growing up in a farming community exposed her to many challenges faced by farmers, including unpredictable weather conditions that necessitate irrigation support, and improper use of agrochemical inputs, which pose risks to both soil quality and human health.
Ziribaggwa hopes to pursue further studies in crop and soil science. She draws inspiration from exemplary leaders like Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, former Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs. “I have always admired her for being hardworking, resilient, and eloquent,” she says, seeking to emulate these qualities in her own journey.