Sebei celebrates Cherotich, sub-region’s fourth-ever female PhD holder

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As Uganda joins the rest of the world to celebrate International Women’s Day, the Sebei sub-region is rallying behind its only four daughters ever to attain the highest academic qualification.

The four include Dr Harriet Cherotich, Dr Jessica Kusuro, Dr Claire Cheromoi, and Dr Justine Yapsoyekwo, whose academic journeys have become a symbol of resilience and hope for many young girls in Sebei.

The latest to reach this milestone is Cherotich, who hails from Kapchorwa Municipality in Kapchorwa district and recently graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Makerere University (Class of 2026), becoming only the fourth woman from Sebei to attain the highest academic qualification.

Dr Harriet Cherotich graduated from Makerere University. (Photo by Javier Silas Omagor)

Her doctoral research, titled “Prospects in Reducing Vulnerability of Communities in Post-Disaster Resettlement: A Case Study of Bunambutye Camp, Eastern Uganda”, examined how communities displaced by disasters can rebuild resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

For Cherotich, the milestone represents more than an academic achievement. It is the culmination of years of persistence in a region where girls often face social and cultural barriers that limit their educational aspirations.

Today, she serves as Dean of Education at Livingstone International University, where she mentors young scholars and education professionals.

A journey against the odds

Growing up in Sebei, Cherotich encountered many of the challenges that still confront girls in the region.

These include patriarchal attitudes, early marriage and the lingering shadow of female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that activists and leaders have long campaigned to eliminate.

Yet she remained determined to pursue education.

Her success story now resonates strongly in a region known globally for producing world-class athletes, but where girls’ academic attainment has often lagged.

Cherotich says education became her pathway to empowerment.

“Education requires commitment, focus, discipline, and self-drive,” she said.

“There were moments when the journey felt overwhelming, but I remained determined because I knew that every step forward was not just for me but for many girls who needed someone to prove that it is possible.”

Research inspired by community challenges

Cherotich’s doctoral study focused on the Bunambutye resettlement camp in Eastern Uganda, where families displaced by landslides and disasters have struggled to rebuild their lives.

Her research explored strategies to reduce vulnerability among displaced communities and improve their long-term resilience.

She says the study was inspired by the repeated disasters that have affected communities around Mount Elgon.

“Many people are relocated after disasters, but the real challenge begins after resettlement,” she explained.

“We must ensure that these communities have sustainable livelihoods, access to services and the resilience to rebuild their lives.”

Sebei’s growing circle of women scholars

Cherotich now joins a small but growing group of highly accomplished women scholars from Sebei.

Among them is Dr Kusuro, whose research explored alternative rites of cultural passage, an initiative aimed at promoting cultural identity without harmful practices such as FGM.

Another is Dr Yapsoyekwo, who studied the implementation of career education and dual-career development among students in the Sebei sub-region.

Yapsoyekwo, who attended Uganda Christian University (Class of 2024), says she chose the topic partly because of the region’s strong athletics culture.

Dr Justine Yapsoyekwo is among the only four women to be awarded PhD status in Sebei sub region. (Photo by Javier Silas Omagor)

“Sebei has produced world-class athletes, but I wanted to encourage young people to pursue both sports and academics,” she explained.

Currently, Yapsoyekwo is the manager of Teryet National High Altitude Training Centre in Kapchorwa and the headmistress of Teryet Senior Secondary School.

A call to inspire the next generation

Cherotich believes the growing number of women scholars from Sebei should inspire girls across the region to pursue higher education.

She urged girls to remain focused despite the obstacles they may face.

“I want young girls in Sebei to believe that their dreams are valid,” she said.

“Where you come from should never limit how far you can go.”

Leaders applaud achievement

Leaders from the region have also praised Cherotich’s achievement, describing it as a powerful inspiration for young women.

Soi County MP Eng. Isaac Malinga Maikut said her success demonstrates the transformative power of education.

“Dr Cherotich’s achievement will go a long way in inspiring many young girls to aim for the highest academic heights,” Maikut said.

“It is a remarkable milestone that she has become the fourth woman from Sebei to attain a PhD, and this sends a strong message that our daughters can achieve greatness through education.”

Another legislator from the region, MP Patrick Kitiyo of Kapchorwa Municipality, also commended Cherotich’s academic journey but emphasised the need to extend educational opportunities to girls in rural areas.

Kitiyo noted that many of the women who have attained doctoral qualifications from Sebei hail from Kapchorwa Municipality, which is relatively more urbanised compared to other parts of the region.

“There is no coincidence that almost all four female PhD holders from Sebei come from the semi-urban Kapchorwa Municipality,” Kitiyo said.

“This shows that rural parts of the region are still struggling with access to quality education.”

A former magistrate before joining politics, Kitiyo urged Cherotich and other accomplished women scholars to actively mentor girls from rural communities.

“We need these role models to inspire young girls in villages to dream bigger and pursue education with determination,” he said.

As International Women’s Day celebrations unfold across the country, the stories of Cherotich, Kusuro, Cheromoi, and Yapsoyekwo stand as reminders of how perseverance and education can transform lives.