University: Kampala International University (Western Campus), Uganda

Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Mercy Imaaniriho was raised in a rural village within a family of eleven children by a farmer and a low-ranking police officer, observing early on that she was kept at home while her brothers were prioritized for school. Having experienced firsthand how rural girls are heavily marginalized and viewed primarily as sources of marital dowry, Mercy broke through structural barriers to claim her space in heavy engineering. Today, she uses her journey as a tool for systemic disruption, actively leading STEM outreach and community mentorship to rescue young girls from early marriages. As a WAAW Scholar, Mercy combines her civil engineering training with civic advocacy, preparing to design sustainable physical infrastructure while building educational access pipelines for the most vulnerable rural villages in Uganda.