In a bold move to decentralize opportunities and amplify female leadership, Brighter Monday Uganda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, convened over 200 women in Mbarara for a groundbreaking “Women in Work” event.
Held outside Kampala for strategic outreach, the forum served as a platform to confront the entrenched challenges women face in Uganda’s workforce while spotlighting their accomplishments. It also underscored BrighterMonday’s larger commitment to youth empowerment and gender inclusivity in employment.
“We wanted to come to areas that are often left out of these conversations,” said Xenia Wachira, Country Director of BrighterMonday Uganda. “There’s a lot of untapped potential in places like Mbarara. Last week we were in Jinja. It’s very intentional.”
The event featured a compelling panel discussion titled “Overcoming Barriers to Female Employment and Leadership”, where industry professionals offered strategies on confidence-building, work-life balance, and workplace survival.
Mbarara Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, who gave the keynote address, urged women to actively seek skills training and employment, while calling on men to play a stronger role in supporting gender parity.
“We are missing a lot of men in the room,” Kakyebezi said. “Men must show up and advocate for women if we are to create inclusive professional spaces.”
The event also addressed serious systemic issues. Eunice Innocent Katushabe, Gender and Inclusion Associate at BrighterMonday, spoke candidly about sexual harassment, “sex for work,” and “sex for marks” incidents in institutions. She called for stricter enforcement of workplace policies and emphasized the need to dismantle the “glass ceiling” that limits women’s advancement.
“We’re not just here to talk about challenges,” she added. “We’re also here to celebrate how far women have come.”
The initiative is part of the Mastercard Foundation-funded Young Africa Works program, which aims to skill 70% women, alongside 10% persons with disabilities and 10% internally displaced persons. The program offers free training in critical soft skills like communication and CV writing—often cited as lacking among new graduates.
From powerful speeches to actionable advice and mentorship, the Mbarara edition of “Women in Work” echoed a resounding message: inclusive growth begins with empowered women. Through such efforts, Brighter Monday Uganda and the Mastercard Foundation continue to chart a path toward a more equitable and opportunity-rich future for Ugandan women.