She was born in
Masaka to Edward Patrick Ssentamu and Theresa Nakalema Ssentamu who are now both dead. She is the sixth child of the 12 children and the eldest daughter in their family. Margaret is also a sister to
John Ddumba Ssentamu the former Vice Chancellor of
Makerere University. She attended her primary education at St Theresa Bwanda, Kimaanya and St Clare Nkoni primary schools. She later joined Trinity College Nabbingo for both
Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and
Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). Between 1980 and 1983, Margaret attained her degree in political science and sociology from Makerere University. She did PGD in journalism at
Uganda Management Institute (UMI) and then did a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication in 1985 at the
University of Nairobi, before going back to
Makerere University for a master's degree in Women and Gender Studies. While for her bachelor's degree at Makerere University, Margaret was very active in student politics as a member of the Democratic Party and a guild representative for Mary Stuart Hall and this led to her winning of the scholarship for her Postgraduate Diploma at the University of Nairobi. == Career ==