Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) hosted a milestone meeting with Higher Education Resource Services East Africa (HERS-EA) on 11th July 2025, setting the stage for a transformative partnership aimed at strengthening women’s leadership in higher education across the region. The collaboration reflects a shared vision between MUST and HERS-EA: empowering women to lead, influence, and transform higher education institutions in East Africa.
Using her experience of starting up a women leadership programme at Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika appreciated the focus of HERS –EA to create equal opportunities for both women and men and creating affirmative action for women to overcome their barriers to leadership and research. This partnership provides a unique opportunity to institutionalize gender equity, mentor emerging women leaders, and build a more inclusive academic future.
The delegation from HERS –EA included Dr. Naomi Lumutenga, Co-founder and Executive Director, Prof. Margaret Khaitsa Co-founder and Board chair, Dr. Soraya Beukes Board chair South Africa (HERS-SA), Dr. Judith white -past President HERS USA, Assoc. Prof Maria Gorretti Nassuna Musoke, Dr. Judy Mielke and Ms. Shauncey Hill.
Focused on building capacity and breaking barriers, Prof. Naomi W. Lumutenga, the Executive Director of HERS-EA and a key figure in East Africa’s higher education landscape, presented HERS-EA’s core mission: to equip women in academia with the tools, skills, and networks necessary to thrive as leaders. She outlined HERS-EA’s key initiatives of leadership training and mentorship while tackling entrenched barriers. The programme directly addresses; gender inequality, leadership pipeline issues, career and socio-cultural challenges, institutional culture gaps and sexual harassment in academia.
Discussions emphasized the urgent need to dismantle systemic challenges. Both institutions committed to joint research, training, and exchange programs to foster inclusive leadership. Prof. Byakika-Kibwika, Vice chancellor reaffirmed MUST’s readiness to offer training and long-term support. Participants appreciated the initiative, stressing the importance of formalizing the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will clearly define roles, expectations, and shared responsibilities of each party under the partnership. A joint steering committee composed of Dr. Viola Nyakato, Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko and Dr. Angella Musiimenta was formed to guide the partnership rollout. Plans are already in motion to launch impactful programs that uplift women leaders across the region.
Upon request from the VC, MUST will host the HERS-EA Training in 2026. The training focuses on strengthening the role of women in leadership, research and development, and global networks and partnerships. MUST was announced as the host of HERS-EA’s 2026 Annual Training Program, a week-long initiative that will bring together women from across East Africa for capacity building, networking, and leadership training. The partnership between MUST and HERS-EA marks a bold step toward transforming higher education leadership in Africa.
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