By Rev. David Munobwa
To raise through the Academic ranks to the level of PhD in Uganda is not a mini achievement, especially for a woman, in fact not only a woman but a Clergy’s wife, in Busoga Diocese. Dr. Margaret Stella Ujeyo, wife to the Rev. Canon Paul Hannington Suubi, set the record in Busoga Diocese as the first Clergy wife to graduate with a PhD from Makerere University, the oldest and most prestigious University in Uganda.
Dr. Margaret Suubi put to pen her testimony of the long walk to the PhD, and she could not find a better title than “It is so sweet to trust in Jesus.” Below is her eye-welling testimony that will leave you on your knees to glorify God at the same time infuse encouragement in your spirit.
IT IS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS – FOR THERE WAS JESUS AT EVERY STAGE OF THIS JOURNEY
“To God be the glory for he has fulfilled what he started in me. I believe the accomplishment of my PHD is his perfect will”.
The decision to undertake a doctoral study was not an easy one because we had children in secondary school and university who needed all the support financially. I also opted to study within the country in order to support my children who were in a delicate stage of life (teenage). I couldn’t afford to leave them. Mine was a very difficult doctoral journey characterized by all odds and challenges that would take a whole book of testimony. What made it possible was the trust in God. He was there for me and my family.
When I chose to enroll for a PhD, I did not have a sponsor, so my family had to sacrifice resources to meet tuition and all other needs. This was a difficult task having to divide resources between our children and their mother. It was also not easy balancing time between study, work, ministry, and family life. I had to commute between Jinja and Makerere University (about 80km) Monday to Wednesday to attend class and on Thursday and Friday, I had to be at Busitema University (100km from Jinja) for work, while Saturday and Sunday I had to attend to family and support my husband in ministry. This was stressful for me but the Lord was with me and my family was very supportive.
In the second semester of my second year, sickness struck. I suffered breast cancer, underwent surgery, and embarked on cancer treatment. Even at this point, there was Jesus. As I lay in Hospital, I received a scholarship and with the support of my husband, I was able to persevere between treatment and studies until I completed the semester. At this point, I had to put the research on hold as I traveled to Nairobi for treatment. It was almost two years later that I had the mind and strength to continue. Despite supervision challenges and all the delays (including Covid-19 lockdowns) and an almost fatal accident a month before my graduation, I am glad of the presence of the Lord at every stage until this was accomplished.
I attribute my achievement first and foremost to God almighty. He walked with me through the fires and the waters; in the valleys and on the mountain tops there was Jesus. At all the challenging stages, I relied on the word of God for encouragement and through prayer I kept my trust firmly in him. I was confident that help would come for me from the maker of heaven and earth. He made me know that even when I walked through the shadow of the valley of death, I didn’t have to fear any evil for he was there to comfort me. When the journey got tougher, I told myself that he would accomplish what he started in me for I am a conqueror in Christ Jesus.
The Suubi family is grateful to the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Moses Samson Naimanhye, for giving time to officiate at the thanksgiving and celebrate this achievement with us on the 5th of March 2023. The Bishop gave us a whole day in spite of his busy schedule. We felt loved and are much humbled. We are short of words of appreciation but know that we are thankful to you Bishop and your entire team.
This achievement would not have been possible without the support of several groups of people: my employers, sponsors, lecturers, supervisors, friends and classmates. However, I wish to pay immeasurable tribute to my family, the best gift from God. They believed in me and supported me in all ways in the most difficult times of my life. They understood my struggles.
I must say that Rev Canon Paul Hannington Suubi, my husband, is the reason for every success in my career right from the time we got married; he believed that I was cut out for great things. He urged me to pursue a higher degree and supported me all through this journey. When I seemed to be giving up, he did not give up on me. Together with our children they prayed and encouraged me on to completion. My children delighted in every small achievement and progress I made. Our family slogan says, “The Lord has done it again for us”. It is a celebration of God’s goodness for everything he does for our family. On graduation day, our youngest son called and just said, “Mummy, it is so sweet to trust in Jesus”. I give special thanks to my father’s house, the Chaiga family. My Parents (RIP) laid the foundation for all my achievements in life. They both took pride in the success of their children and I always wanted to achieve more for them. My sisters and brothers stood by my husband and children sacrificing all to see to it that I am supported throughout the battle with cancer. No words can adequately describe my gratitude to them. They held my hands and helped me to take one day at a time.
To all people of God, I am grateful for you stood in the gap, prayed, and supported me and my family, especially in my time of sickness. St Andrew’s family, my prayer partners, and the women’s prayer team were my next-door friends always. I will remain profoundly indebted to them all. They prayed, encouraged, and supported me in all ways; they always checked on my progress so much so that I was compelled to go on so as not to disappoint them. I would love to say this is our degree; together we have made it by the grace of God.
I stand in awe and ask, ‘What can I render to Jehovah for all the great things he has done for me?
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