After more than two decades of unfinished academic pursuit, Ugandan empowerment coach and author Pamela Babirukamu has finally completed her Master’s degree, graduating during the 76th graduation ceremony of Makerere University.
Babirukamu, an adversity quotient coach, award-winning author, and co-founder of Evolving Woman Uganda, shared the emotional milestone, revealing that her academic journey had remained incomplete for 22 years after she paused her studies while pursuing a Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies.
According to Babirukamu, she had initially been among the top students in her class with a Grade Point Average of 4.13, having completed both academic years and paid all tuition fees.
However, the journey stalled when her supervisor requested additional field research to supplement her data.
At the time, she says, personal struggles made the task overwhelming.
“In the middle of personal struggles, that felt overwhelming. I convinced myself it was too much,” Babirukamu recalled, explaining how she abandoned the final stage of the program despite being close to completion.
For years, she said, she justified the decision.
But two years ago, during what she described as a period of personal restoration, Babirukamu resolved to return to the university and finish what she had started.
Her motivation, she said, was partly inspired by her children.
“I wanted to teach my children that we finish what we start,” she explained.
In a symbolic moment of closure, one of her daughters accompanied her back to the university — this time not just as a parent but as a student returning to complete a long-delayed dream.
Last week, that dream finally became reality when Babirukamu graduated “with flying colors,” marking the end of a journey that began more than two decades ago.
The milestone has resonated widely, particularly among women who often pause personal ambitions to navigate family responsibilities, career pressures, and life’s unexpected challenges.
Reflecting on the experience, Babirukamu encouraged others who may have paused their dreams to return and complete them.
“Don’t surrender important dreams to temporary storms,” she said. “If you paused, go back, start again, and finish.”
Her story now stands as a powerful testament to resilience, reminding many that while life may delay a dream, determination can still bring it to completion.
