Alumni Spotlight

From School Bell to Boardroom: How One Alumna Turned Discipline Into a Legacy

Lillian Nandawula (Class of 2004)

In the quiet predawn hours at Vienna College, the sound of a bell marked the beginning of each school day. For Lillian Nandawula, the student responsible for ringing it, that bell was more than just a wake-up call; it was the start of a lifelong journey shaped by discipline, leadership, and purpose.

“Being a timekeeper wasn’t just about ringing the bell,” she said. “It taught me structure and responsibility. To this day, I take time management seriously and it shaped how I approach life and work.”

Now thriving in the finance and real estate sectors, Ms. Nandawula credits her professional grounding to those early lessons at Vienna. Her time as a student was defined not just by academic rigor, but by a culture of mentorship and empowerment. Friday night career sessions, where accomplished entrepreneurs and professionals shared their journeys, were especially influential.

“It changed how I thought about work,” she said. “It wasn’t just about getting a job, it was about owning your craft and turning it into something bigger.”

One story that stuck with her was about a businessman in Kikuubo who kept meticulous records, unlike his peers. Years later, he was one of the few still thriving. “That reinforced what we learned at Vienna: discipline and knowledge will always set you apart.”

Her professional path, first inspired by career guidance at school and later shaped by the financial circles she found herself in abroad, has been marked by resilience and self-assurance. But Vienna’s greatest gift, she said, was confidence.

“There was this walkway at school we called ‘the highway.’ Everyone was watching. If you weren’t confident, it showed. That daily walk taught me how to carry myself and that skill has helped me in interviews, presentations, and life.”

Despite the early mornings and the challenges of adolescence, Nandawula looks back on her school years with fondness. She never rebelled, never broke the rules yet she found joy in the routine.

“I struggled with waking up for morning prep. I’m not a morning person!” she laughed. “But I showed up, I stayed consistent, and that shaped who I am today.”

Beloved by her classmates and affectionately nicknamed “Mama,” Nandawula became known for her empathy and calm presence. “People found comfort in talking to me,” she recalled. “That nickname still makes me smile.”

Her favorite memories? Prom night, without a doubt.

“The excitement, the energy it was meant for S4 and S6, but the whole school participated. It brought everyone together.”

Today, Nandawula is still connected to classmates across the world from Kampala to Texas and she’s deeply invested in Vienna’s growing alumni network.

“I’ve seen how alumni communities can uplift people through mentorship and business connections,” she said. “It means something when you meet a fellow Vienna alumna you’re more likely to support their business, maybe even offer a discount on a product!”

When asked how she hopes to be remembered in the alumni community, her answer is simple.

“As someone who was kind,” she said. “I hope people remember that I cared and helped where I could.”

If she could write a letter to her younger self, it would echo the same principles she lives by today: “Be kind. Stay humble. Focus on your goals. Do everything with love.”

They are, in her words, simple values but ones that transform lives.