Eight years of resilience: How grief, COVID shaped Nabirye's journey to PhD
Nabirye's research focused on public secondary schools in Wakiso district, where teachers and administrators often work under intense pressure caused by resource constraints, overcrowded classrooms and heavy workloads.
Having lived through the challenges she studied, Nabirye believes resilience remains one of the most important traits for anyone pursuing a doctoral degree.
For eight years, Robinah Nabirye Walube studied resilience in teachers. Along the way, life forced her to practise it herself.
When she enrolled for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management at Nkumba University in 2018, Nabirye was eager to begin research on how hope, confidence, resilience and optimism could help teachers remain effective in challenging work environments.
But before she could settle into the programme, the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Schools closed, disrupting her field research and delaying progress on her study. As she struggled to navigate the uncertainty brought about by lockdowns, another devastating blow followed: her husband died.
“Balancing immense grief with lockdown constraints and research demands was the hardest challenge of my life,” Nabirye recalls.
At a time when many would have abandoned their studies, she chose to continue.
To overcome the loss and uncertainty, she leaned on the very principles she was researching.
“I built psychological capital, relied on hope, and also received strength from my support systems,” she says.
Continuing with the research became more than an academic pursuit. It became a personal test of endurance and a tribute to resilience.
“Even through deep loss, purpose can carry one through to the finish line,” she says.
Rather than viewing the delay as a failure, she sees it as evidence of perseverance.
“In academia, long journeys show perseverance and dedication,” she says.
Nabisunsa Girls School French students with their teachers. Nabirye's research will help boost teaching and learning in secondary schools. (Credit: Ritah Mukasa)
Research rooted in resilience
Nabirye's research focused on public secondary schools in Wakiso district, where teachers and administrators often work under intense pressure caused by resource constraints, overcrowded classrooms and heavy workloads.
She sought to understand how psychological capital, particularly hope, confidence, resilience and optimism, can help educators remain effective despite these challenges.
Her findings show that improving teachers' work environments and investing in their professional growth helps build resilience and confidence, enabling them to better cope with workplace stress.
The study also found that teachers who develop strong skills, knowledge and talents are more likely to demonstrate optimism and hope, qualities that contribute to effectiveness and long-term commitment to the profession.
She says strengthening teachers' psychological wellbeing can also help reduce burnout and staff turnover while improving job satisfaction.
Looking beyond graduation
On October 24, 2026, Nabirye will finally achieve the dream she set out to pursue eight years ago when she is conferred with a PhD in Management during Nkumba University's 28th graduation ceremony.
However, she hopes her research will contribute to education reforms in Uganda and across Africa over the next decade.
“I aim to bridge academic research with real-world practice,” she says.
Her ambition is to help shape policies that create supportive school environments where teachers flourish, and learners receive quality education.
Having lived through the challenges she studied, Nabirye believes resilience remains one of the most important traits for anyone pursuing a doctoral degree.
“There is no age limit,” she says of pursuing a PhD.
She describes the journey as a marathon requiring emotional strength, intellectual discipline and determination in the face of unexpected setbacks.
Her advice to aspiring scholars is simple: anchor the journey in a purpose greater than the title, build a strong support system and keep moving forward despite delays.
“Setbacks and delays are not failures,” she says. “They are simply part of the refinement process that turns you into somebody truly impactful and an organised thinker.”