Historically, since the granting of independence to Uganda, women have enormously scrambled for higher political positions, and from time to time, they have risen through this wearisome odyssey. Today, we reflect on the life of a person whose humble tale is a replica of that of most women in different leadership positions.

Miss Tracy Akatwijuka, a Student Guild minister of ethics, gender, and integrity at King Ceasor University, is an ambitious girl who has lived a life-changing narrative that each young female in her circle would emulate. She has, alongside this, written and published poems about different topics, an indicator that writers can venture into leadership at any level.

An ardent believer of living a purposeful life, she remarks that her favourite writer is Nigeria's Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She asserts that her books have kept her trudging forward. "In her books We Should All Be Feminists and Purple Hibiscus, I learn that a voice backed by conviction can change rooms. She (Chimamanda) showed me that young women can lead conversations, not just join them," Akatwijuka told this publication.

Whereas every mammoth win in life comes after a gigantic fall, her story is not any different, having fallen short of victory at her first-ever elective position at the university, emerging second. "It was humbling and painful. But defeat taught me resilience. I bounced back because leadership is bigger than a title," Tracy emphasised. She also credits God's miraculous power as a key to her success, opening doors and comforting her at her lowest.

We should not shy away from the rot and the high levels of corruption among many Ugandan politicians. "Corruption betrays public trust. I believe in non-negotiable integrity." Her stand is different from that of other female leaders, some of whose hands have been burnt by the corruption fire. An example is the Honourable Agnes Nandutu, the former state minister for Karamoja affairs, who was convicted of corruption earlier this year.

Most women cry foul play when they join the political arena. Some allege that their sponsors demand sexual favours, while others are harassed by voters when they move out to campaign. There are "temptations on the grounds of being manipulated on the grounds of being a girl child. You will face doubt and manipulation, but never shrink. Integrity is better than losing yourself." She encouraged the readers of The Critique Magazine.

As Uganda transitions from the relatively older generations to the youth holding a bigger percentage as those in charge of the country's affairs, those tasked with this new mandate must swear to lead heroically, and by so doing, the Pearl of Africa will then dream of rapid development and better systems that benefit everyone.

Tracy's story should be a mirror for all able-bodied young girls who want to start. They should use it to achieve their goals or as a stepping stone to discover their full potential and unveil their inner beasts in them, just like Arthur Ashe writes, "Start where you are, use what you can, do what you can," so should be the way of life for all of us.