General
EfD-Mak Holds Policy Dialogue on L. Victoria’s Hydrology, Water Quality and Livelihoods
Environmental economists from the Environment for Development initiative (EfD-Mak) Centre on 26th August 2020 held a policy dialogue with Jinja District Local Government officials on the theme, “Lake Victoria’s Hydrology, Water Quality and livelihoods”.
The workshop held at the Jinja District Council Hall attracted about 40 participants including the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Chairperson Local Council Five (LCV), District Natural Resources’ Officers, officials from the Environmental Police Unit, Civil Society Organizations and the Private sector among others.
The objective of the meeting was to discuss and brainstorm on the status of the environment more especially the rising water levels on Lake Victoria and the rivers within the district, challenges faced in the management of the natural resources and identify possible solutions to mitigate environmental degradation.
In his welcome remarks, the LCV Chairman Titus Kisambira said Jinja as an industrial district and city has had a number of environmental challenges with most of the industrialists allocated land tittles near the lake and investors encroaching on more land in the wetlands leading to adverse effects.
The Chairman said, the construction of industries in the wetlands and near the lake has affected the environmental pattern and water runways leading to overflooding and floating islands during heavy rainfall.
Mr. Kisambira reported that the district council took a decision and wrote to all industrialists asking them to vacate land allocated in the wetland. .
“The challenge was with us also, some of the industrialists would run to politicians to help them get titles but we have taken a firm decision as council and instructed the technical team like the land officers to prepare land titles that were acquired in the wetlands and those near the lake for cancelling immediately and all constructions made in the wetlands be destroyed to save the environment,
At times we are let down by the technical people in terms of implementation but for us as a council we took it as a decision that whatever was done in the wetland is reversed. We have a lot of gazzetted land which is not near the lake in Budondo, Mafubira, Busedde and Butagaya and we have advised industrialist to come and we give them land elsewhere so that they do not take away the factories but also conserve the environment”, Mr. Kisambira stated.
While opening the dialogue, the Acting RDC Lt. Alfred Musoke acknowledged that local governments were partly to blame for environmental destruction in the district..
“There are many factories near the lake now swallowed by the lake and they were constructed after acquiring the land titles yet the policy is clear that no one should get a land title in the swampy area. So people got the land titles fraudulently and the government should come in and cancel the titles because they are destroying the environmental pattern.
All districts have environmental officers and before any construction is made, there is an environmental impact assessment report. So we wonder how those reports read because if they were done properly they would not be approved.
We should revise everything and see that the environment is protected. Very many houses in the islands have been swallowed by water. Recently the President came here because of the large floating islands had been broken up and disintegrated by people and when they moved, they entered our turbines leading the entire country to experience a total blackout when the President was expected to address the nation on the COVID-19”, Lt. Musoke reported.
As a district, the RDC said environmental officers have been sensitized on their roles and the need to enforce the law.
He said recently, environmental police did patrols on landing sites where soil had been dumped and ordered perpetrators to remove the soils as they block the movement of water.
He called upon participants to openly come up to condemn environmental degraders to protect the environment.
As head of security in the district, he condemned acts of security (UPDF and police) being used to protect destroyers of the environment saying, his office was open to receive reports of such acts for immediate intervention.
Delivering the Keynote address, the Senior Environment Officer, Jinja district Mr. Maganda Moses appreciated Makerere University for this initiative saying, it was the first of its kind in Jinja that revives and brings to light a sector that is still struggling in the country in terms of budgeting and whose impact trickles down to the Local Governments and Lower Local Governments.
Mr. Maganda commended the selection of participants for the meeting on grounds that it speaks volumes on how important they are in contributing towards the existing policies on Environment and Natural Resources in the country.
Maganda said Uganda is endowed with Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake and the second largest in the world by surface area measuring 68,800km2, River Nile, the longest river in the world and one of the 7 wonders of the world stretching 6,650km crossing 10 countries, streams, wetlands, a beautiful landscape with Mountains, undulating hills and valleys, Minerals in different parts of the country, the oil in the Albertine region, a rich biodiversity, and a favourable climate with an annual temp. of 26 degrees Celsius.
The environmental Officer noted that Uganda has the best policies but the problem is the implementation. He called for the strengthening the institutional capacity to implement the RIO conventions, focusing on the three conventions, UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCCD.
“Kenya is a step ahead in implementing the three conventions, for instance being largely a desert, Kenya is shifting from the use of biomass as a source of energy and has subsidized on the costs of natural gas so that it’s affordable to all. They have also considered importing timber from neighboring countries and keeping their biomass intact.
In Kenya, the Law banning Kaveera was enacted in 2017 following a benchmark trip made by Kenya to Uganda a year before. We enacted a law on the ban of kaveera in 2009, and ever since we have been in battles with different stakeholders on the implementation of the ban, to-date it has not come to pass. On the contrary, the Kenyans are jubilating having succeeded with the ban in a space of 2 years. The manufacturers of kaveera from Kenya were actually warmly welcomed in Uganda.
But we know how much damage kaveera can has cause on our water bodies, we know tonnes of kaveera are always harvested from Nakivuubo channel and other water channels on a daily basis and all this most likely ends up in the Lake.
In Kenya, the law on protection of wetlands, riverbanks, Lakeshores, is enforced to the dot. Most of their wetlands are intact, illegal structures on the river banks have been demolished and re-planning of such areas has taken root.” Mr. Musoke stated
He told participants that as they focus on the day’s theme, they should also focus on what their contributions have been towards the existing policies on Natural Resources, how far they have been successful, where they have failed as Government, including other stakeholders such as CSOs, Academia etc , and the possible proposals for Review where necessary.
Mr. Maganda reported that this year’s theme for celebrating World Environment Day was ‘Time for Nature, with a focus on its role in providing the essential infrastructure that supports life on Earth and human development‘, that was celebrated on the 5th of June 2020 in Colombia.
He said Uganda adopted the theme ‘Nature is speaking, Listen’, and because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, on the 5th June, 2020 an online discussion was held to celebrate the day, where the focus was on the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the climate that makes our planet habitable, all coming from nature.
He reckoned that there would not be any other better description of the recent events that have devastated nature and humanity and threatened the livelihoods of millions of people dependent directly and indirectly on Lake Victoria than the theme itself.
The environmental officer said the volume of water in Lake Victoria has risen before and available data shows that the ever highest recorded increase was 2.5m between 1960 and 1964 though the impact to livelihoods was not as significant as it is today.
The rains that started on the 1st October 2019 he said, surpassed the last ever recorded increase and consistently went up from the 12m to the current highest level of 13.32m as of 30th April 2020.
“Of course, we have seen glaring negative impacts of the rise on people’s livelihoods, settlements, animal habitats, water quality, among many others. The population explosion around the Lake Victoria basin largely accounts for this.
Today, there’s a high affinity for land along the buffer zone of Lake Victoria, there are; numerous ungazetted landing sites, unplanned settlements, industrial hubs, illegal farming activities, non-permitted recreation facilities, and unregulated sand mining activities.” He said.
Mr. Maganda attributed the rising water levels to two major causes;
He said Global Warming is the primary cause of the current water level rise (Extreme heat events experienced on earth as a result of the depletion of the ozone layer) while human activities like, charcoal burning, cutting down trees, pollution from industries, CFCs from old fridge’s, have contributed to an increase in the atmospheric concentrations of heat trapping gasses and caused the planet to warm by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The rising temperatures are warming the ocean waters, which in turn expand and cause global sea level rise.
Secondly, he said are the glaciers and ice caps that are shrinking at a faster rate in response to rising temperatures adding water to the world’s oceans and in turn other water bodies.
“So where we have no direct control over such significant causes; how can we best weigh the costs and risks of accommodating the impacts; retreating from them? Or are we instead trying to defend the properties and infrastructure with protective measures.
As a country, we have clear safeguards within the existing environmental legislation; The NEA 2019 is clear on protection of fragile areas. The National Environment (Wetlands, Riverbanks and Lakeshores management) Regulations 2000 provides for the buffering of our water bodies, lakes, 200m, rivers 100m, small rivers 30m, streams 10m. Therefore, to what extent have we referred to these regulations? He asked.
At a global scale. Maganda reported that rising waters have led to destructive and devastating effects on marine habitats, erosion, wetland flooding, and agricultural soil contamination. In Jinja and most of the neighboring districts he said, Islands have either been fully or partially submerged. e.g at the source of the Nile; Agricultural land and crops have been lost; Peoples settlements have been invaded with the rising waters and forced the affected communities to migrate.and; Factories like Sunbelt, Skyfat, LIU, Agromarines, Keswhala industries have all been flooded and are counting losses.
He further observed that Recreation facilities like Rumors, Sailing club have all been flooded; Landing sites and beaches have adversely been affected by the rising waters and it this is evident in Ripon village landing site, Masese Landing site, Wanyange and Wairaka landing sites. The beach in Wairaka is no more. In addition, the breeding ground for the aquatic life washed downstream. and lastly, we had Uganda’s Hydro-electricity production dam at Nalubaale suffering a technical set back when a big mass of land moved downstream and clogged the power system leading to a total power shutdown.
Highlighting on the challenges Mr. Maganda said first, there’s need to acknowledge the fact that there’s substantial damage that has been caused on the Natural Resources and not until when they realize the mistakes made over time as a country then shall we move forward.
He said that there is also need to acknowledge the fact that much as there are several challenges facing the environment and natural resource sector, several strides have been made but there are many gaps in the existing policies and legislation and emerging issues like oil and gas, and these have triggered new legislation in particular to address environmental concerns for example, Review of the NEMP, in 2019 after over 15 years in existence, Review of the NEA 1995, now the NEA 2019, Presentation of the National Climate Change Bill, 2019 and now before parliament, Review of the National Wetland Policy, 2018 in a bid to safeguard the wetland resources in the country and Review of a number of Regulations in the environment sector e,g the National Environmental Audit Regulations.
He proposed the need for strong policies that will ensure that value is attached to natural resources noting that many of fringe wetlands, forests, have no economic value attached to them and this has always made it hard to convince policy makers especially at local government level to preserve these resources in the face of structural development.
He also proposed the need to ensure total respect for the fragile areas especially the River banks, Lake shores, and forest reserves siting Section 56 of the NEA 2019 refers to declaration of Special Conservation Areas in the country. The Kalagala-Itanda Offset area in Butagaya and Budondo and Kalagala on the Western and Eastern banks respectively of the Nile happens to be the first area under the Act to be declared a SCA and many more areas to be declared as so and exclusively be conserved.
The environmental officer further recommended the need to ensure strong co-ordination with other MDAs so that Environmental Concerns are clearly addressed e.g, titling of fragile areas like wetlands as purely a coordination gap with the different MDAs.
He also expressed the need to cover the gap that exists on how to prevent conversion of forest land or wetlands on private land and that anybody who owns land that has such a resource should be bound to exclusively protect it and not to convert it.
Mr. Maganda also noted that there is lack a clear and direct fund in Local governments to exclusively protect water bodies and yet local governments play a pertinent role in supervision and monitoring of compliance by the adjacent communities. He reported that LVEMP as a running project for the management of Lake Victoria and the Nile Basin Initiative that has always focused on the Nile River at policy level have played a role in empowering LLGS hence LGs need to be directly supported financially with a special fund to protect these resources.
Physical planning, he said, remains an important pillar in planning, gazetting, managing and conserving fragile areas and green spaces. The physical planning Act 2019 emphasizes taking into consideration the Environmental concerns/aspects when drawing Physical plans of particular areas. By strengthening physical planning, he noted it is possible get rid of the development scenario the country is currently embroiled in where it’s a developer to decide where to put up an industry as opposed to government planning for industrial parks or industrial hubs.
He also proposed the need to highlight and strengthen the polluter pays principle so that a developer who pollutes is responsible for paying a fee to government commensurate to the amount of pollution they have introduced into the environment. This he said is still very weak and needs to be re-emphasized.
Last but not least, the officer said there should be a deliberate mechanism at Local Government level where strict data capture, monitoring, supervision and reporting is continuously done on the activities taking place around Lake Victoria.
Director EfD-Mak Centre Prof Edward Bbaale said the EfD initiative is a global network of environmental economics research centre with 15 centres across the world in Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Sweden, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, USA and Vietnam coordinated by the EfD Secretariat, a special Unit at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Prof. Bbaale told participants that the EfD invests in policy interaction not dissemination, Creates interfaces, targets national and Local Government policy level and invests in professional staff development.
On the day’s policy interaction and the theme, Prof. Bbaale said the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) is a critical transboundary natural resource, underpinning the economy and livelihoods of the population, acting as a waste repository and provides food, energy, irrigation, drinking water, tourism and transportation to the economy.
He said that being the source of the White Nile, the lake also supports the livelihoods of Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan and is the primary modulator of the region’s climate. Despite its importance, Prof. Bbaale said, the LVB has undergone intense environmental degradation for decades, resulting in significant ecological and economic challenges.
He highlighted that rapid population growth, agricultural expansion, urbanization, and industrialization have mounted extreme pressure on the lake and its basin’s ecosystems leading to the degradation of lands, and the loss of wetlands and forests.
Speaking on human activities and degradation the director said insufficient monitoring and weak enforcement of regulations on illegal- and over-fishing activities have reduced fish stocks, which threaten crucial livelihoods and food security among others.
“Climate change has also affected the basin as temperatures have consistently increased between 0.1°C and 2.5°C, based on historical data from 1920 to 2013. The LVB and its inhabitants are vulnerable to the increasing effects of climate shocks, which would likely exacerbate its environmental problems.” Prof. Bbaale reported
He said, water levels in the Lake are influenced by direct rainfall over the lake, runoff from the basin, evaporation from the Lake, and outflows into the Nile, the latter of which is currently controlled by more than one hydropower dam.
The fish stocks according to Prof. Bbaale are threatened by climate change due to warmer waters and pollution induced changes in water quality while increased rainfall increases erosion due to the farming close to the shores and pollution, directly impact the lake’s water quality.
The changing temperatures according to the Director, introduce disease vectors and increase the risk of malaria and other vector-borne diseases for the basin’s human population and that during the period of late January 2020, the effect of Lake Victoria bursting its banks started to be felt with several landing sites and settlements damaged by floods.
This, the professor notedhas left almost half a million people homeless and property worth billions of money had been lost in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Prof. Bbaale attributed Lake Victoria’s Hydrology change to mainly three causes namely Climate change, lack of regional consensus on a well-coordinated policy of regulating Lake Victoria inflow and outflow and Lake Sedimentation due to catchment degradation and Buffer zone encroachment.
On livelihood impacts of changes in Lake Victoria Eco-system. Prof. Bbaale said there is declining fish biomass, catch and exports, impact on infrastructure especially the Hydropower generation, water transport and reduced business activity along the landing sites, poverty and unemployment plus high crime risks.
Report compiled by: Jane Anyango, Communication Officer, CAES
By Carol Kasujja Adii
The former Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Mrs Allen Kagina, has challenged leaders to exercise integrity not only in words but in action.
Mrs Kagina made the call on Friday 7th March during the 3rd Sarah Nyendwoha Ntiro annual public Lecture held at the School of Public Health Auditorium at Makerere University, where she delivered the keynote address.
The memorial lecture was held under the theme: “Pioneering change and transforming Institutions”
Sarah Ntiro was a trailblazer, a woman who defied societal norms and dedicated her life to advancing education and gender equality. Her story is not just one of personal triumph but a blueprint for how individuals can catalyze institutional and societal transformation.
Delivering her keynote speech, Mrs Kagina noted that when she took on the role of Executive Director at UNRA, she faced challenges because the institution was plagued by inefficiency, corruption and delayed projects, but with integrity and innovations, together with her team they rebuilt UNRA’s credibility.
“Leadership must be anchored in integrity because ethical leadership fosters a culture of accountability and transparency. As a leader, you must create an environment where people feel confident that decisions are made in the best interest of the institution and those it serves,” Mrs Kagina, said.
Mrs Kagina narrated that in order to rebuild UNRA’s credibility, she had to take difficult decisions by removing corrupt and underperforming staff and ensured that the institution was staffed by competent and ethical professionals.
According to Mrs Kagina, no leader can succeed alone. Institutional transformation depends on the collective efforts of individuals committed to the same purpose.
“Investing in people through training, mentorship and empowerment creates a culture of ownership and innovation. When employees are engaged and valued, they become champions of change rather than passive participants,” Mrs Kagina, noted.
Using her leadership journey at Uganda Revenue Authority, Mrs Kagina explained that she learnt that effective leadership is the cornerstone of institutional transformation.
She told the audience that when she joined URA, the institution was struggling with corruption, inefficiency and lack of public trust, together with a small team, they restructured the organization by removing corrupt elements and enforcing transparency at every level something that changed URA’s image.
“We introduced technology to reduce human interference in tax collection. We fostered a culture of accountability and cooperation. These reforms were challenging but they ultimately restored URA’s credibility and set a new standard for public institutions in Uganda,” She pointed out.
Drawing lessons from Ntiro’s life, Mrs Kagina, explained that although Ntiro’s journey was marked by numerous challenges, from systemic gender discrimination to societal resistance, she remained steadfast in her mission, demonstrating that resilience is essential for overcoming obstacles.
“Her ability to persevere, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable barriers, serves as a powerful reminder that change often requires enduring hardship with unwavering determination,” Mrs Kagina, said.
Mrs Kagina noted that one of Ntiro’s greatest legacies is the generation of women she inspired to pursue leadership roles. Noting that by empowering others to lead, Ntiro ensured that her work would continue long after her time.
“Ntiro’s ability to articulate a compelling vision for a more equitable society was central to her success. She inspired others to believe in the possibility of change and to work toward it with passion and commitment. Her leadership demonstrates that a clear, inspiring vision is essential for mobilizing people and driving institutional transformation,” Mrs Kagina, said.
In her closing remarks, Mrs Kagina called upon those in leadership positions to emulate people like Ntiro who demonstrated resilience, advocacy and strategic reforms to transform even the most rigid systems.
During the function, Mrs Lorna Magara, the Chairperson Makerere University Council, said that Ntiro’s story reminds people that true pioneers do not wait for change, they create it, look beyond existing limitations and imagine possibilities that others may not see.
“Mrs Kagina powerfully articulated that transformative leadership is not about being the first woman in the room, but ensuring you are not the last. When women lead with courage and vision, we do not just change organisations, we redefine the very essence of leadership,” Mrs Magara, said.
Mrs Magara, reminded students, researchers and leaders that every challenge they encounter should be treated as an opportunity to reimagine possibilities and shape the future.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs/Academic Registrar, Prof Mukadasi Buyinza, pointed out that Ntiro’s story teaches generations that transformative change is not about grand gestures but consistent and principled action.
“Her story reminds us that progress is a collective endeavor. It requires individuals willing to challenge systemic barriers, sacrifice personal comfort and create pathways for those who follow. As we honor Ntiro’s memory, we are called to continue her work to pioneer change, transform institutions and build a more equitable future for Uganda and the African continent,” Prof Buyinza, said.
Moderating the panel discussion, Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Dean, School of Women and Gender Studies Mrs. Allen Kagina her inspiring keynote speech. “Some of the points I kept hearing were reforms, integrity, teamwork, celebrating the pioneers on whose shoulders we stand and most interestingly, those who worked on the ecosystem to make it possible.”
She equally thanked the second panelist Mrs. Elizabeth Mushabe, a passionate gender equity and social justice advocate with over twenty years of experience in community systems strengthening, for richly contributing to the day’s discussion.
Prof. Ssali highlighted two points for the audience to take keen note of in order to address social problems; one, the behavioural transformation that considers the empowerment we undergo as individuals and two, the structural transformation which addresses issues in the ecosystem.
“When you are talking about a girl being empowered to do very well, that is a behavioural approach, when you are talking about putting in place systems, and polices and laws that prevent teenage pregnancy and exploitation, you are talking about the structural thing. We need to operate in both ways and I hope that from the gallant ladies we have in this country, you have learnt how to address issues both behaviourally and structurally” Prof. Ssali counselled.
In her remarks, Dr Ruth Nsibirano, the head of the Gender Studies Department, urged Institutions to work towards inclusive and empowering education processes and practices.
“As the Department of Women and Gender Studies, we take pride in Ntiro’s legacy. We use this day as a platform to celebrate achievements the women of Uganda have made and to stand for the global sisterhood as we advance gender equality and social inclusion,” Dr Nsibirano, said.
Ntiro at glance
Born in 1926 in Bunyoro, Ntiro grew up in a society where opportunities for women were severely limited, but she excelled academically and became the first East African woman to graduate from the University of Oxford in 1951.
Ntiro returned to Uganda and began her career as a teacher. She faced systemic gender discrimination, including being paid less than her male counterparts. In protest, she worked without pay, something which sparked national debate about gender equality.
Her advocacy for girls’ education was rooted in the belief that educated women could drive societal transformation. Her impact extended far beyond her immediate community. Her work laid the Foundation for a more inclusive and equitable education system in Uganda and across East Africa. She inspired a generation of women to pursue leadership roles and challenged deeply ingrained gender norms.
On 8th March 2025, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day with the inspiring theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This theme encourages us to take meaningful actions toward achieving equal rights, power, and opportunities for all, fostering a feminist future where all young women can thrive. This theme resonates deeply with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, which is dedicated to empowering young women to emerge as transformative leaders and change-makers in their communities. Today, we proudly highlight one of our Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Ms. Winnie Kushaba.
Winnie is a powerful example of what is possible when access to education and empowerment is prioritized for women and girls. Her journey is a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance, serving as an inspiring model for aspiring scientists. By breaking through barriers, Winnie continues to advance her career and contribute to the growing field of chemistry in Uganda, paving the way for future generations of women and girls.
Who is Winnie Kushaba
Winnie Kushaba was born on 21st December 1994 in Rakai District. Challenges marked her early life as she grew up in a complex family environment. Although her biological mother was absent, Winnie was raised by her stepmother and later by her maternal grandmother, with additional support from her maternal aunt. Throughout her childhood, Winnie experienced several transitions as she sought stability. She moved between various locations, including Rakai, Ibanda, Kiruhura, Kazo, and Isingiro, searching for a place to call home. Each transition contributed to her resilience and adaptability, shaping the strong character with which she navigated these changes.
Winnie speaks openly about her childhood challenges.
“I have never met my biological mother, and I do not know if she is alive or not,” she asserts. “As the firstborn in a family of five children, each from a different mother, I took on the significant responsibility of caring for my four brothers from the age of eight,” Winnie explains. It is this experience that has instilled in her a strong sense of resilience and leadership.
Early Education
At age five, Winnie was enrolled at Katembi Primary School in Isingiro district, where her father was a teacher. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before her father developed a mental illness, which ultimately led to his passing. This tragic event marked the start of Winnie’s educational struggles. Despite these challenges, Winnie was a resilient young girl determined to pursue her education at any cost.
She moved from one school to another, receiving support from generous individuals who provided bursaries for her at various local schools. Winnie attended six primary schools before finally taking her Primary Leaving Examinations at Mwamba Junior School, where her aunt had enrolled her. Despite the numerous school transitions and changes, Winnie excelled in her final exams, emerging as the top student in her school.
Pursuing Secondary Education…
Winnie’s outstanding performance in the Primary Leaving Examinations earned her a bursary to attend Mwamba Secondary School for her lower secondary education. Shortly thereafter, she was allowed to transfer to St. Catherine Girls’ School in Kiruhura District, where she was welcomed into her paternal grandmother’s home. With the unwavering support of her grandmother and aunt, Winnie not only completed her Form Four final examinations but also distinguished herself as one of the top students at her school. This journey highlights her resilience and determination to pursue academic excellence.
Pursuing High School Education…
After achieving outstanding results in her Form Four examinations in 2010, Winnie felt optimistic about her future and hoped her generous benefactors would support her enrollment in Advanced Level education. However, due to financial constraints, her elderly grandmother and aunt could not afford her high school tuition, which led to a challenging four-year absence from formal education. During this time, Winnie dedicated herself to various community jobs to save money for her schooling.
A compassionate Catholic nun recognized her potential in a positive turn of events in 2014. She offered her a bursary to attend Boncosilli Catholic School in Isingiro district, providing Winnie with a renewed opportunity to pursue her dreams. At Boncosilli Catholic School, she pursued a challenging combination of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics, ultimately earning 13 points in her final examinations. While this score was considered quite good for someone who had been out of school for four years, it unfortunately fell short of the requirements for a government scholarship to attend university. This placed Winnie in another difficult situation, forcing her to remain out of school for another two years.
Unlike her earlier experience in Form Four when she was still relatively young, this time, due to her age, her two-year absence from education attracted the attention of many village men who began asking for her hand in marriage. The situation became so overwhelming that her aunt started locking her indoors during the day, allowing her to leave only in the evenings to protect her from the advances of the village men.
Securing a scholarship through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to attend the University…
When all hope seemed lost for Winnie to attend university, a young man who lived in her neighbourhood and was a student at Makerere University informed her about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarships available at the University. Seizing the opportunity, Winnie boarded a bus to Kampala, Uganda’s capital, for the first time. She collected the scholarship forms, and, as luck would have it, she was awarded the scholarship in 2016 to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany and Chemistry.
At Makerere University, Winnie’s full potential was honed. Despite a challenging childhood that affected her well-being, the psychosocial support and academic assistance from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program played a pivotal role in her journey. With this support, she completed her studies and graduated in 2021.
“Had it not been for the [Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program] Team’s psychosocial and remedial academic support, completing my university education would have been challenging,” Winnie asserts.
Life after Makerere University….
After graduating from Makerere University, Winnie began her professional journey with a graduate internship at Bio Fresh Ltd. This company exports fresh fruits and vegetables to the European Union market. Starting her career in the Quality Control department, she quickly demonstrated her skills and commitment. Her exceptional performance as an intern led to a full-time position as a Quality Control Officer. Over the next four years, Winnie continued to advance within the organization, and she now holds the dual roles of Product Development Manager and Internal Control Systems Manager at Bio Fresh. Her progress reflects her dedication and talent in the field.
Impact on the Community….
Through her work earnings, Winnie has significantly impacted her community. She has ensured that her siblings receive a quality education by covering their school fees and supported her paternal aunt by constructing a comfortable home. Additionally, she has played a vital role in helping two young girls from Kaberamaido district return to school.
“With my earnings, I am dedicated to ensuring my younger brothers receive a quality education. One is currently studying for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Gulu University, the other is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at Ibanda University, and the youngest is in form four,” Winnie happily shares. “I have also been able to support two vulnerable young girls from the Kaberamaido District in Eastern Uganda who had dropped out of school by helping them return to their studies because they reminded me of my troubled childhood,” Winnie adds, with a look of satisfaction on her face.
Winnie has also established skills programs to empower young women, especially mothers in Gayaza, a suburb of Kampala. By training and mentoring them in entrepreneurship, she has equipped these women to start small businesses, such as snack production and selling fruits and vegetables. This initiative has enabled them to achieve financial independence and improve their livelihoods.
Looking into the future….
Winnie has a clear vision for her future and confidently shares her aspirations. In the immediate term, she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Quality Control Management in 2026, followed by a PhD in the same field shortly thereafter. Winnie is passionate about conducting research that enhances the quality of crops and plants in Uganda, aiming to make a meaningful contribution to this important area of knowledge. Additionally, as a devoted mother of one, she is committed to creating a nurturing and enriching environment for her children, ensuring they have a fulfilling childhood complete with opportunities she wishes she had.
Message to fellow young women…
Winnie urges young women to remain steadfast while pursuing their dreams, even when faced with challenges and difficult circumstances. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating small achievements and encourages individuals to excel in all their endeavours. No matter the obstacles, she believes in the power of determination and resilience to help them reach their fullest potential.
“I urge my fellow young women in Uganda to remain resilient in the face of challenges. It’s important to actively nurture your dreams and maintain hope, as these are essential for unlocking your true potential,” Winne emphasizes.
Bernard Buteera, the Principal Communications and Public Relations Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, conducted the interview.
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