
- She has overcome numerous challenges in life and has become a trailblazer in the world of technology and leadership.
- By leveraging technology and developing innovative solutions, young people can provide goods and services and create employment opportunities for others.
- She believes young people can never tell where their turning point may come from.
I am an overcomer. I never give up and I always do what is required of me despite challenges. I am a woman of my word, a woman of action with a very positive attitude towards life
Lucy Alobo.
In Uganda, many young people face obstacles such as poverty, lack of access to education, poor healthcare, and scanty employment opportunities, amongst others.
According to Lucy Alobo, despite these challenges, young people can take charge of their lives and create opportunities for themselves and others through hard work, determination, and guidance.
Such virtues enabled Ms. Alobo to excel in her academic pursuits and become a beneficiary of the Mastercard Foundation scholarship that saw her through her high school education.
Ms. Alobo, 22, is a young lady who has overcome numerous challenges in life and has become a trailblazer in the world of technology and leadership.
Beyond rejection
Despite being an orphan and facing rejection from her paternal clan, she was able to find support and guidance from her maternal aunt, who did everything possible to ensure that she had a better life.
“I lost both of my parents when I was a year old. My siblings dropped out of school after the demise of our mother. Fortunately, my maternal auntie, a childless widow, took me up and cared for me.
She became everything to me. She did everything possible to ensure I had all the basic needs every growing child needs.
My auntie did very odd jobs to give me a better life. Unfortunately, through an asthmatic attack, I lost her in 2013 when I was in Primary Six,” recounts Ms. Alobo, the last born of four children.
Her education
Ms. Alobo’s story highlights the importance of education in providing young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life.

In Uganda, access to education is a tall order for many young people due to poverty, forcing them to drop out or not attend school at all.
The government should invest more resources in education to ensure that every young person has access to quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
After her aunt’s demise, Ms. Alobo was raised by her uncle and his family.
The uncle paid her school fees from P.3 to P.7, thanks to him.
She attended Otim Tom Primary School and Lira Central Nursery and Primary School, which were among the best primary schools in Lango sub-region.
“The first term at Lira Central was challenging; I would hardly speak very good English like the other kids. I was very used to Dholuo.
My turning point was when my uncle came for an academic visit, and I was called but couldn’t respond in English. He wasn’t happy with my progress, and I could see it on his face.
I befriended one of the best students in my class, Atim Deborah, and started speaking more with her. I told her my challenges, and she promised to stick with me.”
The following term, Ms. Alobo was among the top 5 students in her class, making her uncle proud. He encouraged her to keep working hard.
After P.7, she got a scholarship through Mastercard Foundation at Brac Uganda, which covered her tuition and provided basic requirements, stipends, community service, and leadership workshops, amongst others.
“I am indebted to Mastercard Foundation for the opportunity they gave me. I am a better person. The scholarship went from Senior 1 to Senior 6. I went to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Gayaza for O level education and Bishop Cipriano Kihangiire for A Level education,” Ms. Alobo explains.
She is a second-year Lira University student doing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health.
She is actively involved in community-based projects that aim to skill young people and empower them to become social change agents.
Her inspiration
Ms. Alobo’s story is a testament that young people can find inspiration to overcome obstacles and achieve success through determination, hard work, and mentorship.
She is a model to other young people, and her story provides a blueprint for those willing to undertake similar initiatives.
Ms. Alobo looks up to Ophrah Winfrey.
Despite having a difficult childhood characterized by her parents’ separation after she was born, Winfrey overcame every obstacle and rose to one of America’s best and most motivational women.
“Through her shows, Winfrey has inspired so many women to discover their self-identities and become their best version. I find that really fascinating,” says Ms. Alobo.
In today’s world, many women are still being left behind in the fight for equality. Women leaders make a huge difference in society by inspiring other women and people to believe in themselves and achieve more.
Alobo in tech and innovation
Another challenge young people face in Uganda is high youth unemployment rates.
Many young people don’t find meaningful work, which can negatively affect their mental health and self-esteem.
By leveraging technology and developing innovative solutions, young people can provide goods and services and create employment opportunities for others.
As the President of the Lira University Creative Developers’ Association, she is committed to helping students develop their skills in technology and innovation and acquiring the experience needed to excel in their fields.

“I solicit funding for student projects, mentor innovators, and organize activities for innovations.
As the president, I execute my duties differently by always finding new and more effective ways to bring together innovative students to share and participate in innovation activities,” she explains.
She looks for student project opportunities and shares and guides others in the application.
“Also, I love networking with other tech professionals and people who have won research grants to have them share with students their innovations as a source of inspiration,” she adds.
What makes her tick is hard work, commitment to her goals, and faith in God.
“I am an overcomer. I never give up and I always do what is required of me despite challenges. I am a woman of my word, a woman of action with a very positive attitude towards life,” she asserts.
Community work
Ms. Alobo calls herself a community leader for her passion for the community.
“Currently I am working with two organizations and a project. I am the District Coordinator for Mastercard Foundation Alumni at Brac Uganda (MFABU) and we have organized so many community outreaches,” Ms. Alobo says.
She is passionate about community advocacy and mentoring other young people.
She is a menstrual hygiene trainer with Dinu SET SRHR, a project funded by European Union to conduct menstrual hygiene training and teach girls how to make reusable pads.
She was also trained as a peer educator under Dinu-Chase Project to educate other people on issues of sexual reproductive health.
Access to quality healthcare is another challenge that many young Ugandans face, despite the government’s efforts.
Ms. Alobo’s passion for public health and her involvement in community-based projects showcase the importance of addressing health-related issues affecting young people in Uganda.
Youths should actively advocate for better healthcare services and use existing resources to improve their health outcomes.
“I volunteer at Tufaayo Foundation, a youth-led organization skilling the youth, conducting menstrual hygiene training, and teaching girls how to make reusable pads.

I am also coordinating with United Youth Fellows in Uganda to mentor young innovators in institutions in Lango Sub-region to come up with solutions to the community’s problems,” she adds.
She has had a radio talk show on Unity radio, the most popular radio in Lango Sub-region, to create awareness and advocate for children’s education.
In the next ten years, she sees herself among Uganda’s most recognized and popular women positively impacting communities.
“I see myself as an ambassador with World Health Organization, and using technology to improve healthcare services and delivery,” she anticipates.
To youths
She advises young people to set goals, work hard towards achieving them and invest in their personal development in and out of school.

Ms. Alobo encourages them to explore all life opportunities and invest in themselves by reading books, attending leadership and community training, and participating in activities that positively impact communities.
She believes young people can never tell where their turning point may come from.
Despite the challenges young people face, they can take control of their lives and create opportunities for themselves and others through hard work, determination, guidance, and mentorship.
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By leveraging technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, young people can create positive change in their communities and improve their overall well-being.
Indeed a woman of inspiration
I am humbled that you’re inspired by the story.
Always inspiring us❤ we love you our teacher
You came from far and still going far miss Alobo.