Women break glass ceilings if inclusion is ‘deliberate’

Dr Rosemary Bulyaba loves her job as the dean of agricultural sciences at Uganda Christian University (UCU).

“UCU is a great place to work as a woman,” she says. “Here, our potential is recognised and we are given equal opportunities.”

Dr Mary Kagoire, the dean of the school of education, agrees. “It’s all about your ability, not your gender,” she says. “I have never seen anyone being denied opportunities because she is a woman. It’s about integrity, capability and hard work.”

Bulyaba and Kagoire are just two of several women who have been breaking through glass ceilings at UCU, as the university demonstrates its commitment to empowering women by placing them in leadership positions, nurturing their talents and providing an environment where they can thrive.

The private, faith-based institution, located in Mukono, about 23km east of the capital, Kampala, offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in fields such as theology, law, business, social sciences, education and health sciences.

Owned and governed by the Church of Uganda, UCU was known as the Bishop Tucker Theological College until 1997 and, in its existence of over 100 years, had mainly trained clergy and educators. It also has regional campuses and study centres across Uganda, including in Kampala, Arua, Mbale, and Kabale.

In the later 1990s, the university was majorly dominated by men in areas of leadership. This changed after 2010, and gradually thereafter, when women started taking up leadership roles. Therefore, in the past 10 years, UCU has had five women deans out of 11 faculties or schools and five of the university's six directors are women.

Research about women and education is clear, namely that university education enhances women’s job prospects, economic independence and confidence to participate in politics. And the career of Florence Nakiyingi, UCU’s director of human resources and administration, is testament to that.

“I feel very blessed and lucky to be in this position because not many women get the chance to rise to the level of director or CEO,” she says.

Mentoring and the support of colleagues

Nakiyingi credits Irene Masanga, the former director of human resources at UCU, for her growth. “Irene was an exceptional mentor,” she says. “She taught me the fundamentals of human resource management, including filing, minute writing and the essentials of university documentation.” This mentorship was pivotal in shaping Nakiyingi’s own leadership skills.

Bulyaba, the dean of agricultural sciences, believes Vice-Chancellor Professor Aaron Mushengyezi has also played an important role in creating opportunities for women.

“The VC has been instrumental in recommending women for leadership academies and training opportunities,” she says.

Financial support for workshops and conferences not only empowered women but also bolstered their professional growth.

For Pamela Tumwebaze, the director of student affairs at UCU, leadership is about embracing one’s identity and inspiring others. “As a woman, one of my key responsibilities is to inspire other women to recognise their potential,” she says.

“I want to see women emerge as strong, skilled individuals ready to take on the challenges before them. Women need to stop limiting themselves and, instead, seize opportunities with confidence.”

Education dean Kagoire echoes this sentiment, adding that, with leadership comes responsibility.

“Sometimes, I find myself working late to ensure things are done correctly,” she says. “As a woman, I feel I must meet the expectations of my role. I believe women have a unique drive to fulfil their responsibilities.”

Big careers

Successful women abound at UCU. Professor Angella Napakol, who was hired by Professor Monica Chibita in the department of mass communication, has swiftly become a key figure in the academic community.

Her career took off when she was selected for a prestigious opportunity under the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development, or NORHED, allowing her to pursue a PhD in South Africa.

This international experience enabled her to bring fresh insights and advanced knowledge to the department upon her return. UCU’s mass communication programme has been strengthened and Napakol has risen to become the director of academic affairs.

A change of direction

For Emily Comfort Maractho, a lecturer in the school of journalism, media and communication, a switch to doing a masters in development communication at Kenya’s Daystar University made all the difference. She had been feeling a sense of stagnation. “I realised I was not learning anything new, so I had to change course,” she says.

After that, Chibita offered her a PhD scholarship opportunity. With financial backing from UCU’s capacity-building scheme for staff, Maractho pursued a doctorate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

Upon her return in 2018, by this time a professor, she was appointed the head of the department of journalism and media studies, taking over from Chibita, who became the dean of the faculty of journalism, media and communication.

A boost for media studies

In the media field, Maractho has been a catalyst for change. She introduced new course units such as journalism and political communication, economics and business journalism and media, gender and social justice.

“These courses were developed to meet the evolving demands of the media industry,” she says. The curriculum overhaul was also a response to the government regulator’s requirement for institutions to update their programmes every three years.

Beyond her academic role, Maractho is a prolific writer, contributing to national debates on social policy through her weekly column in the Daily Monitor. A recent article advocating for a national policy on public-private partnerships in the health sector underscores her commitment to societal change. “I believe in using my platform to highlight issues that matter to our communities,” she says.

Maractho’s journey to academic excellence was not without challenges. Raised by a single mother in Nebbi District, in northern Uganda, she was the first woman in her community to graduate with a bachelor degree. “Education was not highly valued in my community, so I didn’t have many role models to look up to,” she admits.

Before rising in academia, she worked on a local newspaper and was even a billing officer for the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company. But she never gave up on her academic ambitions and was always propelled by a desire to excel.

Not just individuals

The stories of Nakiyingi, Bulyaba, Tumwebaze, Kagoire, Napakol and Maractho illustrate the transformative power of education, with the right support. But UCU’s commitment to gender equality is not limited to individual success stories.

The university has fostered an environment that encourages women to pursue leadership, academic excellence and professional growth. Vice-Chancellor Mushengyezi has been particularly proactive in promoting gender balance, ensuring that women are represented across all levels of the institution.

When there is an opportunity to celebrate women, for instance on International Women’s Day, the university participates with vigour. The university theme this year was ‘Embracing Equity’.

UCU is a beacon of what is possible when institutions are deliberate about gender inclusion and the university’s focus on mentorship, training and inclusivity sets a benchmark for other institutions in Uganda and beyond.

Editorial support by Helen Womack