First in her family: Akandinda defies odds to top UACE in school, dreams of becoming judge

Despite overwhelming financial struggles and social discrimination, Prossy Akandinda , 19, has defied the odds to become the first in her family to complete high school.

The youngest of 11 siblings, she has now set her sights on becoming a judge after scoring 20 points in the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) exams—the highest possible score.

Vaccist Akandinda, a former student of Bweranyangi Girls’ Secondary School, was the only candidate at the school to achieve the maximum 20 points.

“There were many times I felt like dropping out because I was constantly sent home for school fees,” she told Monitor on Tuesday.

Her parents, subsistence farmers in Sheema District, could not afford to send her older siblings to school.

But in a stroke of luck, a well-wisher stepped in to fund her A-level education.

“I had no hope of continuing after Senior Four, but someone saw potential in me and offered to pay my fees,” she said.

Fighting against the odds
Even with tuition covered, Akandinda struggled to afford scholastic materials and faced prejudice from peers due to her small stature and modest background.

“Some students looked down on me, but I refused to be discouraged. I worked harder and pushed through,” she said.

Her resilience paid off when she emerged as the top student at her school, scoring the highest possible marks—an achievement that few students in Uganda attain.

Her ambition is to pursue law and one day serve as a judge.

“My dream has always been to stand for justice. I believe that with education, I can help those who have been unfairly treated,” she said.

Akandinda’s story reflects the struggles of many Ugandan students from low-income families. Uganda’s education system remains expensive for many, with tuition, scholastic materials, and boarding fees posing barriers to continued learning amid public concerns.

According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), 92,273 students qualified for university this year—an improvement from 80,816 in 2023.

However, 48,570 students failed to obtain the required two principal passes, cutting off their chances of higher education.

While the government offers 'free' education through UPE and USE, many students rely on private sponsors, charities, or personal determination to complete their education.

Looking to the future
With her strong exam performance, Akandinda is hopeful for a government scholarship. However, she remains uncertain about funding for her university education.

“I am praying for a scholarship. If I don’t get one, I don’t know how I will afford law school,” she admitted.

Despite these concerns, her optimism remains unwavering. “I have come this far, and I believe I will go even further,” she said.