When Barbara Ofwono was in her final year of secondary school, her father suggested she consider a career in teaching. She firmly rejected the idea, determined to pursue law instead. Little did she know that fate had other plans, and today she stands as the proud founder of Victorious Education Services Limited, a network of five schools and an online learning platform.
A Dream Deferred
Ofwono's journey to education was anything but straightforward. After completing her A-levels, she was so set on studying law that she decided to repeat her final year to improve her grades. However, the results remained the same, and she found herself at a crossroads. It was then that she decided to give teaching a try, if only to bide her time.
But something unexpected happened during her first teaching practice. "I didn't want to stop teaching. I wanted to teach and teach," Ofwono recalls. She was so enamored with the profession that she would ask other teachers for their lessons to teach. "I fell in love with the profession," she says.
Finding Her Calling
Ofwono's initial foray into education was as a secondary school teacher, but her heart always leaned towards the younger ones. She found joy in teaching Sunday school to children aged three to five, and it was there that she discovered her true passion.
Looking back at her own childhood, Ofwono remembers crying a lot during her primary boarding school days. "I was always emotional while going back to school. I would miss my parents so much that whenever I would go back to school, I would cry," she shares. This experience may have fueled her desire to create a nurturing environment for young learners.
Her life took a positive turn when she joined Namasagali College, a school known for grooming students into "wholesome persons." "Namasagali College turned my life around. The school believed in developing a wholesome person, who could make an impact in their life, generation and community. This greatly shaped my life, future and day-to-day activities," she recounts.
Building an Education Empire
Today, Ofwono is at the helm of Victorious Education Services Limited, which operates five schools and an online school. Her journey from a reluctant teacher to a successful education entrepreneur is a testament to the power of embracing unexpected opportunities.
Ofwono will share her story and insights at the 2026 Pakasa Forum, scheduled for November 21 at Enterprise Uganda. The forum will bring together progressive entrepreneurs to discuss success stories and ideas for growing businesses. Her presence there is sure to inspire many who may be facing their own career crossroads.
From a young woman who once abhorred the idea of teaching to a leader in the education sector, Barbara Ofwono's story is one of passion, resilience, and the transformative power of following one's heart, even when it leads in an unexpected direction.
