“No Connections, No Excuses. Nobody Owes You Anything.” Captain Ashaba

As the sun beat down on Gulu University’s sports grounds, hundreds of students gathered under a large white tent for the 2025 Career Expo. But this wasn’t just another career talk. It was a moment that quietly highlighted how Uganda’s future leaders are being shaped—especially the rise of bold, self-made individuals like Captain Ashaba Faridah.

Walking to the stage in her sharp pilot’s uniform, Ashaba carried more than just presence—she brought a story of struggle, purpose, and self-made success.

She began with a reality check: “After graduation, don’t expect a job right away. Sometimes the same person who asked for your CV might throw it away. That’s life.”

Many students nodded, others were stunned by the honesty. But Ashaba had their full attention.

She didn’t come from privilege. Raised by a single mother, she sold snacks at school and second-hand clothes to pay her pilot training fees. She had once dreamed of being an interior designer, but it was her uncle who encouraged her to consider aviation.

When she couldn't afford Soroti Flying School, she didn’t give up. After three years of searching, she finally got a scholarship—and with that, her journey took flight.

But even with a pilot’s license, things weren’t easy. Airlines demanded five years of experience. With no job offers, she decided to create her own opportunity.

That’s how Ashaba Flights was born. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, she pitched business ideas to aircraft owners and began operating local flights. Many doubted her. But by promoting her services online and documenting each trip, she’s now flown over 200 passengers within Uganda.

Ashaba reminded the youth that Uganda needs job creators—not just job seekers. “If all of you want to be employed, who will employ you?” she asked.

Her words also touched on leadership and legacy how real change starts with mindset. “No one in my family was a pilot. I’m the first. I had to create my own path,” she said.

She also spoke about money, warning, “If I gave some of you 10 million shillings today, you’d waste it in three days. You’re not mentally ready.”

This talk wasn’t just about careers it was about grooming young Ugandans to rise above their backgrounds and step into leadership. Ashaba’s story, while different from political grooming, reflects the same lesson: leadership is built through resilience, vision, and bold moves not titles.

Her closing message was simple but powerful: “Hustle with heart. Stay grounded. And don’t wait for someone to hand you a future. Build it yourself.”