By Yasiri J. Kasango
In a time when young people face mounting pressures to balance academics, personal life, and leadership roles, Christy Asiimwe stands out as an example of how to succeed on multiple fronts. As a recent graduate of Uganda Christian University, Asiimwe excelled academically, achieving a 4.8 CGPA. Asiimwe also took on leadership responsibilities that gave her a sense of purpose and direction. Her story is one of balance, passion, and early pursuit of family life—an approach inspired by her parents and educators.
Asiimwe’s journey began with a structured approach to her studies. Reflecting on her university days, she noted how critical a disciplined schedule was in balancing her obligations.
“I would have a written schedule not only for my classes but also for time outside the classroom,” Asiimwe explained. “Attending every lecture became essential because I knew I didn’t have much extra time for revision.” She emphasised that class time helped her internalise concepts, so when she had time to revise, it was a matter of refreshing her memory rather than learning from scratch.
Balancing her academic responsibilities with her leadership roles posed a unique set of challenges. Asiimwe served as minister for the presidency in the 25th Guild Government at UCU, where she oversaw several projects that demanded her attention and energy. One such responsibility involved leading a series of training sessions on leadership under the president’s office, a task that Asiimwe found overwhelming.
“It was intense, especially with exams on the horizon,” she recalled. “But delegating tasks and seeking support from my peers proved essential.” Asiimwe was grateful for the help she received from Melissa Kamikazi, the vice president at the time, and other guild members who stepped in to share the load.
Asiimwe’s success as a student leader came at a cost, but she coped by embracing delegation, time management, and faith. She shared that anxiety was a major challenge, especially as deadlines loomed. “At one point, I felt completely frozen by the weight of my responsibilities,” she admitted. “But prayer helped me refocus and calm down,” Asiimwe emphasised how prayer played a significant role in helping her keep perspective, reminding her that stress wouldn’t make the work any easier. “Calming myself and doing my best, then leaving the rest to God, made a huge difference.”
For Asiimwe, her faith wasn’t just a tool for stress management; it also shaped her vision for the future. Having experienced the positive impact of family life from a young age Asiimwe said that she is set to get married this December. She always intended to marry early, a decision that is less common in her generation. She attributes this mindset to her strong family background and her belief in the sanctity of marriage. “I always valued marriage and felt that it was a calling for me,” she said. “Having been inspired by the family life I saw growing up, I knew early on that I wanted to get married young.” For her, marriage is not a decision that has been made lightly but rather a journey with someone she has known for a long time.
Having met her partner in 2019 within a fellowship group, Asiimwe and her partner grew close before officially dating last year. She felt an inner conviction about marriage, rooted in her faith and in the certainty that this path was part of God’s plan for her life. “Finding the right person and having clear guidance from God made it easy to commit,” she added.
Despite the many practical considerations that often come with marriage, such as financial and psychological readiness, Asiimwe believed that growth would continue within the marriage itself. “There will always be more to learn, more money to earn, and more ways to grow together,” she shared.
With her undergraduate degree behind her, Asiimwe is setting her sights on the future with the same meticulous planning that has carried her thus far. She is currently teaching at Acorns International School in Kisaasi, a position she secured before her final semester ended. Her interest in teaching, however, is not purely for practical experience; Asiimwe sees it as a vital step towards her long-term goals in education. “I’d like to teach for about two years to understand the classroom dynamics better,” she said. “It’s one thing to have a curriculum and quite another to put it into practice effectively.”
Asiimwe’s interest in education grew unexpectedly during her time at a 2019 conference. Initially, she planned to pursue a career in human nutrition and dietetics, but the event transformed her perspective, highlighting the far-reaching impact of education on individual lives. “I realized how much education can influence people,” she reflected. “For anyone wanting to make a lasting impact, education is a powerful platform.” She now hopes to further her studies, aiming to complete a master’s degree within three years and to ultimately work in curriculum development or education management.
While the path forward is clear to her, Asiimwe attributes much of her journey to the support she’s received from mentors, family, and friends. Reflecting on those who have supported her academic pursuits, she expressed gratitude for the foundation set by her primary and secondary school educators.
“I was fortunate to have strong academic foundations from City Parents School and later Shekinah Christian International School,” she said, explaining that these early influences instilled in her a love for excellence and detail-oriented work. A high-achiever since primary school, Christie consistently maintained top grades, graduating secondary school with all A’s and achieving high marks in her university programme.
Despite the challenges she’s faced, Asiimwe remains motivated by her faith. “I feel like God has been present throughout my journey, guiding me,” she said. For Asiimwe, the decision to pursue education as a career is one that she sees as divinely inspired, enabling her to create positive change in the lives of young people. “Education touches all aspects of a person’s life, from character to intellect to well-being, and I want to be a part of that transformation.”
As she embarks on her career, balancing her personal life, professional aspirations, and spiritual journey, Asiimwe is already considering ways to expand her impact. She sees a future where she can influence educational policy, helping to shape a curriculum that is more responsive to the needs of Uganda’s youth.
