Nicole Bassula Babirye

17 years old, attending Rainbow International School, Kampala, Nicole was awarded a Beacon Scholarship in May 2025.

Nicole formerly attended Nabisunsa Girls Secondary School, Kampala, where she consistently demonstrated outstanding achievement, showing particular strengths in literature, essay writing and oracy.

At her previous school Nicole’s co-curricular activities included drama, public speaking and competitive debate, where she captained her team to the semi-finals of the Green Schools National Debate Championship. She played volleyball for her House and was a member of the school Climate Action Club.

During her time as President of the Junior Debate Club, Nicole organised weekly practice sessions for club members and compiled and published a weekly debate bulletin. She is a passionate advocate for issues such as human rights, the environment, social justice and reproductive health.

Nicole supports a charity working for children with cancer. She has also started a community organisation called @Mai.Moja which aims to increase the amount of third spaces available to disadvantaged youths in her community, to boost creativity and innovation. Initiatives undertaken include a teens’ health fair, fundraising to support an orphans’ hub and to buy school materials for five disadvantaged students.