Born on January 5, 1941, in the village of Kitebere, Busujju County, Buganda, Central Uganda, East Africa. Florence, also known as Mary Florence Eugenia Nakibende Ssemmanda, was the seventh of seventeen children born to David Bukenya Masiko and Mary Anthony Nnababi. Despite facing educational challenges in her youth, she became a pillar of strength for her family and community.