Ugandan activist for girls and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) rights, Claire Akumu couldn’t hide her feelings last week as she reminisced about meeting former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama.
The thought of meeting Mrs. Obama, she said, had never crossed her mind even in her wildest dreams.
A team leader at Girl Up Initiative Uganda, Akumu has since graduating from MUBS in 2017, been involved in advocacy for equal rights and representation of girls and PWDs.
Her life’s highlight, however, came on October 25 when she ended up rubbing shoulders with the former First Lady on the sidelines of a luncheon organised by the Obama Foundation in New York.
She’d been invited to share her story of how she has mentored girls in Uganda and her dedication to empowering girls with disabilities.
The luncheon was part of the launch of the #GetHerThere campaign, a global call to action to educate and empower adolescent girls around the world to reach their full potential.
It was during an interview with CNN on the sidelines of the event that she got to meet Mrs. Michelle Obama.
Claire Okumu last week shared pictures of her posing all smiles, and holding hands with the former First Lady.
“Nothing could have ever prepared me for a moment such as this! I did not see it coming, and neither did the (two) other girl leaders I was with. We were all star-struck,” she said.
“I vividly recall feeling my heartbeat on the tip of my tongue…I did not just meet Mrs. Obama, I did not just hug her; I embraced everything that she is; her courage, strong will, and her journey.”
On social media, Akumu was flooded with congratulatory messages on her milestone.
“I don't know you but I feel goosebumps right now. What a moment for a lifetime,” wrote one Priva Twongirwe
Florance Kyarikora wrote, “Very powerful and beautiful story. Congratulations to you dear one. God bless you.”
Outside her advocacy work, Claire Akumu is also an avid poet and writer.