Uganda’s Energy Sector Pushes for Greater Female Inclusion to Power the Nation’s Future
Kampala, Uganda — On April 15, Uganda’s energy sector took a bold step toward reshaping its future, with a clear focus on empowering women and girls to take the reins of the country’s industrial transformation. At the 2026 Women in Energy Forum held in Kampala’s Lugogo district, leaders emphasized the critical role of gender inclusivity in driving the nation’s clean energy transition and economic growth.
The event, hosted at the UMA Multi-Purpose Hall, was more than just a gathering—it was a call to action. Ugandan Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, delivered a stirring address, urging young women to embrace science and engineering as pathways to leadership. “Tonight is not merely a celebration,” she declared. “It is a declaration. The future of Uganda’s energy sector must include women not just as participants but as engineers, scientists, innovators, and leaders.”
The Minister’s words underscored a pressing challenge: Uganda’s industrial ambitions hinge on its ability to harness the potential of its female population. With the nation striving to scale its energy generation to over 15,000 Megawatts by 2030, the demand for skilled professionals—especially in STEM fields—has never been greater. Yet, statistics reveal a stark gender gap.
Recent data from Uganda’s 2025 Advanced Certificate of Education examinations highlights the disparity. While girls outperformed boys in physics, with 57.4% achieving principal passes compared to 55.2% of males, their representation in STEM subjects remains alarmingly low. Only 25,002 girls sat for mathematics exams, compared to 45,130 boys, and the gap in physics was even wider, with just 4,689 female candidates compared to 16,613 male students.
This imbalance has real-world consequences. Today, women lead less than 20% of renewable energy businesses in the region, a figure that underscores the urgent need for systemic change.
To address this, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has been working to dismantle barriers through initiatives like the Women in Energy programme. Launched eight years ago, the initiative has reached over 50,000 students across 78 secondary schools nationwide, providing mentorship, exposure to industry role models, and practical opportunities. ERA Chief Executive Officer Ziria Tibalwa Waako described the programme as a “transformative platform” that is reshaping perceptions and inspiring young girls to pursue careers in energy.
However, inclusivity requires more than inspiration—it demands investment. The ERA continues to allocate over Shs2 billion annually to its Graduate Training Programme, ensuring that girls mentored through the initiative have a clear pathway from education to employment. Board Chairperson Grania Rosette Rubomboras, speaking from her own experience as a woman in a male-dominated field, emphasized the need for deliberate recruitment of technically competent women.
“Too many women remain underrepresented,” she said. “We need more women in engineering departments, more in system operations, more in grid management, and in energy research.”
The evening concluded with the launch of the third edition of the Women in Energy Magazine, a publication aimed at celebrating achievements and inspiring further progress. Stakeholders acknowledged that while measurable strides have been made, the journey toward true inclusivity is far from complete.
For the thousands of girls touched by the Women in Energy initiative, the message was clear: they are not just consumers of electricity but the architects of Uganda’s energy future. As the nation pushes toward its ambitious goals, the inclusion of women and girls will be critical to powering sustainable growth and development.
— Reported by Nexio News
