Pearl Nagawa 
Learners from over 30 schools across the country gathered at UCCA headquaters in Entebbe
Over 100 female students and pupils from 30 schools across the country were sensitised about the opportunities in the aviation sector, with an aim of increasing the number of females joining the aviation industry.
The career engagement was organised by AirServ, a company dealing in aviation services and aircraft maintenance, in conjunction with the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) plus African leaders in aviation and Uganda Airlines. It was held on Wednesday, 11, September, 2024 at the UCAA headquarters in Entebbe.
The session was officially opened by Olive Lumonya, the UCAA deputy director general who noted that the career session was one of such strategies that have been adopted globally, in which the aviation sector can record an increase in the number of females joining the aviation field.
She pointed out some of the programmes including the Global women in aviation, Africa Women in Aviation among others, tailored for females in the sector. Lumonya noted that under such programmes, female aviators visit different schools while spreading awareness among the learners on the aviation industry.
“The other strategy is to train ladies who are already in the aviation sector, to raise them to leadership positions. UCAA has thus enhanced efforts towards improving the gender gap of which 31% of employees are female,” Lumonya noted.
On behalf of the organisers, Robina Nalumu, the director for marketing and client care under AirServ explained that Girls in Aviation day aims at inspiring girls in aviation opportunities such as pilots, engineers, cabin crew, marketing personnel, finance, public relations officers, safety and security officers among others.
She revealed that such events shall be held annually, with the next event scheduled for February 2025. All the participating female students and learners were granted free access to the airport parking aprons where they inspected some of the aircraft owned by Uganda Airlines.
Several women in aviation had long interactions with the female students on how to tap into the aviation industry. Eva Luyiga an Air traffic controller working with UCAA explained that her role is to direct aircraft as they ascend, descend and land at the airport.
She noted that such a job requires a student to pursue subjects such as physics, mathematics, geography and English language. “If a female student can pursue these courses, then nothing can stop them from becoming air traffic controllers,” Luyiga advised.
Meanwhile, Sheila Ajaok, the principal public relations officer at UCAA said the aviation sector does not only require one to have studied sciences. “We have jobs such as public relations officers, accountants, managers among others, all of which work within the whole scope of the aviation sector,” Ajok pointed.
Captain Immaculate Apolot, an aircraft pilot gave a brief bio of her life as an assertive lady trying to punch through the ceiling of a contemporary male-dominated industry. “It required hard work, consistence and self-belief. You do not have have to feel sorry for yourself,” Apolot advised.
Caroline Abenitwe an expert in water and fire rescue operations narrated how she was initially grounded behind a desk because her male seniors were afraid of letting her into the field of water of fire. “I had to insist on carrying out tasks in the field. I learnt swimming, diving, water and fire rescues among other tactics that have seen me traverse this continent,” she Expressed.
Ivy Nabbosa Luggya, a student of Mount St. Mary’s College Namagunga expressed appreciation over the career talk saying it provided more insights into the aviation industry. “But I wish the male students can also get included in the programme because the information here, cannot easily be accessed from anywhere on the internet,” she implored.
Closing the engagement, Fred Bamwesigye, the UCAA director general, expressed commitment by the aviation authority to continue highlighting the different roles that women undertake in the aviation industry.
“The aviation industry needs people like you who are smart, driven and ambitious young girls and women to help us shape its future. There is no better time to invest in a girl child than today,” Bamwesigye remarked.
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