A 50-year-old mother from Kotido District has captured public admiration after scoring 14 points in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations, demonstrating that age is no barrier to academic success.
Hadija Sukuzani scored B in History, B in Literature, D in General Paper, D in ICT, and E in Entrepreneurship to get 14 points.
Her achievement has sparked inspiration among adults in Karamoja and beyond to consider returning to school.
Sukuzani defied the challenges of balancing family responsibilities with her studies, setting her sights on becoming one of the best students at her school.
She credits her discipline and dedication for her success, recalling how she would wake up early each day and brave cold mornings to reach school for the first lesson.
“I wanted to perform well like the other students, so I made sure I attended classes early and stayed focused on my studies,” Sukuzani said.
At school, she developed friendships with classmates and teachers, often staying behind after lessons to revise and discuss topics before heading home.
Despite her demanding school routine, she continued to manage household duties, including cooking, cleaning, and other responsibilities.
Balancing studies with family obligations was challenging, but Sukuzani said the encouragement she received from her family, teachers, friends, and relatives motivated her to persevere.
Her story has inspired many adults in her community to consider pursuing education later in life. Sukuzani now hopes to continue her studies and make a positive impact in her community.