Ugandan Woman Who Sold Jackfruits For Fees Graduates From Kyambogo University

Judith Gimbo, a young woman from Uganda, has defied unimaginable hardships to graduate with a Bachelor of Business in Education from Kyambogo University. Despite losing her father in 2010 and facing years of financial struggles, Gimbo’s determination and resilience have carried her through to achieve her dreams.

Gimbo’s father, a dedicated police officer, tragically succumbed to injuries after an attack by thugs. His passing not only shattered the family emotionally but also triggered a series of challenges, including frustrations with the Uganda Police Force management over processing his pension. The delays left the family in a state of limbo, further aggravated by the collapse of their small business. By November 2023, the family faced a brutal eviction from the police barracks in Jinja, which compounded their struggles.

Determined to support herself and her family, Gimbo began vending jackfruit in 2018 to raise tuition fees. Her mother, Florence Baluka, also started a small vegetable-selling kiosk, after their business collapsed. Together, they worked tirelessly to make ends meet.

Gimbo vividly recalls how her journey was filled with sacrifices. From her time in secondary school, she would sell jackfruit during weekends and vacations to save money for her education. She joined Kyambogo University after missing out on a government scholarship, relying entirely on her earnings to cover tuition and other expenses.

“Every week, I worked hard to save at least 30,000 shillings because I knew tuition would tie me up when the semester began,” Gimbo shared.

However, life at university brought even greater hurdles. In her third year, when her tuition arrears reached 1 million shillings, she nearly took a dead year. Fortunately, a friend from her church helped her raise the funds, enabling her to continue her studies.

Gimbo’s most trying moment came in November 2023, just as she was preparing for her final university exams. The police force decided to evict all families living in the barracks who did not have an active police officer. Her family was among those forced out.

“I was depressed, and it was hard to concentrate on my books,” Gimbo said. Despite this, she continued to sell jackfruit to meet her financial obligations. On a good day, she would make a profit of up to 25,000 shillings. There were rare moments when she earned over 100,000 shillings, which she described as a miracle.

Gimbo’s journey is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit. From vending jackfruit to surviving eviction, she has emerged as a symbol of hope, inspiring others to work hard and believe in their dreams no matter the circumstances.