Welcome to Uganda Association of University women portal, we are a non-profit organisation that was founded in 1956 by Mary Stuart, wife of Bishop Stuart. Mary Stuart was by then lecturing at Makerere University and was perturbed by the low numbers of women enrolling for University education at Makerere. She therefore became a strong advocate for increased enrolment of women at all levels of education.
UAUW realizes that the overwhelming majority of Ugandans and in particular, women, continue to live in conditions of extreme poverty characterized by lack of access to education and health care, food insecurity, poor housing and general low standard of living. It was therefore formed with a strong commitment to promoting national development with a special emphasis on enhancing equal opportunities in development so as to ensure gender equity and equality. Cognizant of the fact that education, both formal and informal, underpins effective change the association encourages graduate women to use their expertise to bring about change, with particular reference to the education of girls and adult literacy.
It can be noted that the education of girls in the African continent has been lacking behind for ages and with the help of a voice like this, hopefully, together we can make a difference for a life or a few to make a change.
To make a change and also be part of the growing changes, you can go to our member page and see how you can be part of this revolution. You can also visit our services page to see what we can offer.
For more details you can follow as on most of our social media platform or simply contacts us on the portals provided.
About Us
Word from the president.
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Nothing stresses more the importance of investing in girl child education than the words of Mary Stuart as inscribed in Mary Stuart ladies’ residence hall, Makerere University: ‘TRAIN a woman, a nation trained.” Educating women and girls is the single most effective strategy to ensure the well-being and health of children and the long-term success of developing economies.
In Uganda female literacy rates lag behind at 49% compared to 69% of males and gender gaps widen at secondary and tertiary school levels (OECD, 2015). While it is on record that more girls have enrolled in primary and secondary schools over the last 30 years, it is also true that many drop-out and are unable to finish school. This is due to several unresolved issues in regard to policies meant to promote girl-child education for example unique circumstances of young women in rural, marginalised areas who are unable to access higher education. Other issues relate to socio-cultural pressures and poverty in general.
The foundation of who we are at UAUW is that every woman and girl deserves the basics in life especially an education. In order for communities and our country to grow and thrive, people, especially women must step up and take leadership roles to inspire and mobilize others to make a difference in the lives of other girls and women. At UAUW our motto is ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ We encourage women who have had the privilege to complete their education to rise to the occasion and encourage the future generation.
If you have not been thinking of giving back to society, now is the time! Through generous donations or giving of your time in volunteer work at the Association, we can make sure our fellow Ugandan women and girls have what they need to reclaim their place in society. As an individual, you may want to give back to society by paying a girl’s school fees or contributing to their scholastic requirements. Many families who come from hard to reach areas of the country or that have difficult backgrounds are burdened by their girl children’s schools fees and once unable to pay, they choose to marry them off. This could be your chance to give back to keep a girl in school.
Giving back will not only help the girl child be a part of school system, but will also help you grow as a person. It will give you the opportunity to identify deeply with the issues of the girl child in Uganda and to pace up to make a difference. This is our responsibility. In giving you would have added to the growth of an individual, their family, their community and the Nation!
As an Association we are exploring and developing new programs and activities that we hope will increase UAUW visibility and impact throughout the year. These potential new activities include business training workshops and discussions of innovative exhibitions. We are open for discussion to NGOs and our network of international collaborators for the cause of the girl child.
Looking to the future, I am convinced that the UAUW is ready to move forward and become a more relevant platform for advancing the girl child education in Uganda
