At the Literary Evening organised by Diplomatist magazine on 18th November in New Delhi, H.E. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, High Commissioner of Uganda to India, opened her heart to the audience, recounting a life shaped by struggle, courage, and unwavering hope. Her memoir, Triumph Over Adversity: My Extraordinary Life’s Journey, published in March 2025, is a tribute to resilience, faith, and the indomitable human spirit.
H.E. Kikafunda’s memoir tells the story of a girl born in a remote village in western Uganda into a poor peasant family. Against societal norms, her parents encouraged her education, instilling a belief that she could rise above her circumstances. She went on to attend the country’s top girls’ school, excel at university, and eventually earn a master’s degree in Canada—rejoining her fiancé, Joseph Kafunda, whom she later married.
But her life was far from smooth. The civil wars of the 1970s and 80s forced the couple to live in exile in Mexico and Cameroon for a decade. Despite professional success—including pioneering the Department of Food Science and Technology at Makerere University—her greatest personal challenge was yet to come: childlessness.
In Africa, she explained, being unable to bear children carries a heavy cultural stigma. “People can be unkind, sometimes directly, often behind your back,” she said. “But I refused to let this define me. I faced it with courage, faith, and a smile. At the age of 60, I became a mother, and three years later, I was blessed with quadruplets. My house is now filled with laughter and life, a living testament to persistence and hope.”
Shibani Seth, the conversation host, remarked on the courage underlying her story: “Your Excellency, what was the moment you realised that adversity had shaped your strength rather than diminished it?”
H.E. Kikafunda paused, her voice steady but emotional. “It was not one moment, but a series of challenges that slowly built my resilience. The adversity of childlessness was the most profound, but facing it taught me that true strength comes from honesty, courage, and refusing to hide one’s struggles. I realised that by confronting life’s hardships with dignity, I could shine a light for others navigating similar journeys.”
The conversation revealed another side of her: the fighter within. “While writing my memoir, I reconnected with the fighter in me—the dreamer too, a little—but not the diplomat. Diplomacy demands restraint, yet my story demanded honesty. I wanted to tell it for those who may need hope, courage, and a reminder that humble beginnings are never a limitation.”
The High Commissioner’s message resonated deeply with everyone present: triumph over adversity is not about avoiding hardship but about embracing it with courage and determination. Her memoir is a guidepost for anyone facing life’s toughest moments, offering a message of hope, resilience, and faith in oneself.
H.E. Kikafunda concluded by inviting everyone to read her memoir: “It is a story filled with laughter, tears, reflection, and triumph. I hope it inspires you to rise above adversity, to believe in yourself, and to embrace life’s challenges with courage. This is my story—may it light the path for yours.”
The evening ended with heartfelt applause, as the audience reflected on the extraordinary journey of a woman who turned struggle into strength, and whose life is a testament to the power of hope, resilience, and an unwavering spirit.
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