Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), held a three-day workshop from August 6,2025- August 8,2025, with the purpose of empowering female staff and faculty to pursue and excel in leadership roles. The three-day workshop, part of the “Enhancing women’s participation and visibility in leadership and decision making in universities in Uganda. project, brought together women and men from administrative and academic staff in various departments to share experiences, build skills, and strategize for future success.
The initiative is a multi-year research project led by the Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), with Dr. Euzobia M. Mugisha Baine as the Principal Investigator. The Makerere University Research funds it and Innovations Fund (RIF).It includes several public partner institutions across Uganda, including Gulu, Busitema, Kabale, Muni, and MUST.
Stories of Resilience and Leadership
On the first day, MUST Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika set a powerful tone by sharing her personal journey. She emphasized the importance of balancing the many roles women play leader, mother, wife while pursuing their professional aspirations. “The world today speaks of equal opportunities, but this can only be achieved when we have the right qualifications, attitude, and time,” she said. She encouraged the attendees to strive for balance and embrace leadership opportunities without hesitation.
She pledged full support to the Gender office in MUST if it were to be fully established, and requested Dr. Euzobia Baine Mugisha to support the establishment of Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming at MUST under her office. A dedicated gender Directorate department at MUST to promote gender equality and equity. Prof. Pauline thanked the existing gender unit under the Dean of Students’ office but pointed out that it needs to be independent and well-established at the management level. “As the Vice Chancellor, I pledge full support to this,” she affirmed.
Dr. Euzobia M. Baine, the project’s Principal Investigator, highlighted the project’s aim to create a forum for experience sharing and to develop strategies that promote women in leadership. She noted that the project also includes workshops for men to engage them in promoting gender equality, a strategy that is vital for creating a supportive environment for women’s advancement.
In her presentation, Ms. Susan Mbabazi, Principal Gender Officer at Makerere University’s Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), highlighted the significance of the Male Engagement Strategy, a government initiative in Uganda aimed at fostering gender equality and personal empowerment.
The strategy, she explained, is founded on the idea that men must be active participants in the push for gender equality.
Mentorship, Unity, and a Tough Skin
Day two kicked off with a recap from Dr. Specioza Twinamasiko, the MUST project coordinator. She highlighted the importance of engaging senior women leaders
Following this, Academic Registrar Dr. Martha Kyoshaba shared her inspiring story. She stressed the importance of mentorship and having a support system, crediting figures like Ms. Mary Hadudu and Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda for their encouraging words. Dr. Kyoshaba advised the women to develop a “tough skin,” especially when working in male-dominated environments, and to always stand up for what is right. “As women, we need to work together, lift each other up, and have a voice of purpose,” she concluded, underscoring the power of unity.
The workshop concluded with a session led by Mr. Eric Tumwesigye from the GMD, where participants shared their personal journeys and discussed the challenges and societal expectations they face. The event was attended by a diverse group of female deans, senior administrators, support staff, and faculty, all of whom left with a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger network of support.
This initiative is a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable leadership landscape at MUST and beyond.
Day three MUST Male champions were trained under the theme; Male
Engagement in the promotion of gender equality and social justice. The main purpose was to create a “critical mass of male change of agents” who will promote gender equality and social justice within the university and beyond. The Training outcome focused on, among others, promotion of the formation of male action groups to engage men in confronting and transforming their own male privilege, (real and perceived); mobilizing men to challenge patriarchal structures and norms that perpetuate gender inequality; creating and working with male role models; building and developing male change agents.
Mr. Eric Tumwesigye, Senior Gender Officer, GMD, Makerere University highlighted the significance of the Male Engagement Strategy, a government initiative in Uganda aimed at fostering gender equality and personal empowerment.
The strategy, she explained, is founded on the idea that men must be active participants in the push for gender equality. It proposes several key actions, including:
- Forming Male Action Groups: These groups are designed to get men to confront their own privilege, both real and perceived.
- Challenging Patriarchy: The strategy mobilizes men to actively challenge the structures and norms that perpetuate gender inequality.
- Building Male Role Models and Change Agents: It focuses on creating and working with positive male role models, building a critical mass of men who can champion gender equality within their communities and beyond.
