Stories of Change
At the Madhvani Foundation, we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for nation-building. It is not just a personal milestone — it is a catalyst for change that transforms lives, families, and entire communities across Uganda.
Each year, we support some of Uganda’s most talented students, many of whom come from humble backgrounds and face extraordinary challenges to access higher education. Our mission is simple: to give every deserving Ugandan an equal opportunity to learn, excel, and lead.
The stories below are proof of what happens when talent meets opportunity. They are stories of courage, perseverance, and ambition — of first-generation graduates who refused to let poverty define their future, of entrepreneurs who are creating jobs for others, and of young Ugandan women breaking barriers in fields where they have long been underrepresented.
These are more than individual success stories — they are a glimpse into the future of a stronger, more equitable Uganda.
Ssenyonjo Mubaraka
Founder, Ssemu Cleaning Services Ltd Makerere University | Madhvani Foundation Scholar 2011–2013
My journey wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Madhvani Foundation.
As a student at Makerere University, I was fortunate to receive the Foundation’s scholarship for two academic years. That support lifted a huge weight off my shoulders — it allowed me to focus on my studies, finish my degree, and start thinking bigger about my future.
With that foundation, I was able to dream beyond survival. In 2014, I started my own company — Ssemu Cleaning Services — from the ground up. The values I learned during university, and the doors opened by the Madhvani Foundation, shaped the business I’ve built today.
More than just financial support, the Foundation gave me belief — in myself, in my potential, and in the idea that someone from a humble background could go on to create opportunities for others.
Today, my company serves clients across Uganda. And it all began with that one chance — that one scholarship — that changed everything.
Racheal Iperu
BSc in Software Engineering, First Class Honours Makerere University | Madhvani Foundation Scholar 2023–2024
As a young Ugandan woman in tech, graduating with a First-Class Honours degree in Software Engineering — and a CGPA of 4.59 — was more than a personal achievement. It was a breakthrough. In my final year at Makerere University, I was fortunate to receive the Madhvani Foundation Scholarship. That support came at a critical time and lifted a huge financial burden off my family and me.
Without the stress of unpaid tuition or the fear of missing exams, I was able to fully focus on excelling in my field. That freedom gave me the confidence to aim higher — and the results followed.
But this story isn’t just about me. It’s about what happens when girls are given the chance to thrive in spaces where they’ve been underrepresented. It’s about how empowering one woman can create ripple effects across families, communities, and industries.
Now, as General Secretary of the Madhvani Alumni Association, I’m committed to giving back — to building a network of support and mentorship for future scholars. Because I know what it means to be given a chance — and I believe Uganda will only reach its full potential when more young women are supported to rise, lead, and innovate.
The Madhvani Foundation didn’t just invest in my education — it invested in Uganda’s future.
Wambuzi Posiano
BSc in Agricultural Science & Entrepreneurship, First Class Honours Uganda Christian University, Mukono
I come from a family of 11 children, and I’m proud to be the only one who has made it to university. My parents are humble farmers, and from early on, I knew that education was my path to changing not just my life, but my family’s story.
After finishing Senior Six, I spent a year at home — not because I wanted to, but because I simply couldn’t afford the tuition. When I was finally admitted to UCU Mukono, I asked my father for a piece of our family land to sell so I could pay my fees. That money got me through the first two years — after that, the journey became even harder.
I tried everything. I farmed groundnuts. I grew vegetables. I rented a small place near campus so I could stay close to my studies, even if it meant walking 8km to class. Some days I had nothing to eat. I bought a bicycle to help with the distance, and even when I arrived to lectures drenched in sweat, I held my head high and kept going.
It wasn’t easy, but I never gave up.
In my third year, my Dean encouraged me to apply for the Madhvani Foundation scholarship. I was shortlisted, invited for an interview, and by God’s grace — I was selected.
That support changed everything. I completed my degree with First Class Honours.
Today, I stand as proof that with determination, resilience, and the right support, anything is possible. The Madhvani Foundation didn’t just fund my education — it gave me a future.