The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in partnership with AirServ and African Leaders in Aviation, hosted the second annual Girls in Aviation Day on September 24, 2025.
This event is part of a broader, sustained effort to inspire and mentor young women, encouraging them to pursue careers in a field where they have been historically underrepresented.
The initiative aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Programme, which focuses on attracting and retaining young talent and promoting gender equality.
The day’s celebration brought together participants from various schools that included: Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga, MerryLand International School, Olea Primary School, St. Peter’s S.S., Hope Senior School, St. Mark High School, Gayaza High School and others who gathered to learn, connect, and dream big.
Commitment to Bridging the Gender Gap
During her remarks, the Acting Director General of UCAA, Ms. Olive B. Lumonya, highlighted the Authority’s commitment to advancing female participation.
“We are intentional about supporting programmes that attract, educate, and empower young people, especially girls, to pursue their dreams in aviation,” Ms. Lumonya said.
“Women currently constitute 32% of UCAA’s employees, a figure the organisation aims to increase,” she added.
She emphasised that events like Girls in Aviation Day are vital for showing young girls from across the country the wide range of career opportunities available in aviation.
She highlighted that the aviation industry is diverse and rapidly evolving, with opportunities beyond flying planes.
According to Ms. Lumonya, these include roles in airport and airline operations, flight operations, ground handling, aircraft maintenance, finance, administration, and even new technological fields like drone operation and advanced air mobility systems.
The message to participants was clear: aviation provides a space to explore a wide range of skills and interests without being limited to a single path.
Navigating Challenges with Resilience and Mentorship
Ms. Lumonya acknowledged that entering a field where women are a minority can be challenging. However, she framed these challenges as opportunities for growth, urging the young girls to embrace the determination and resilience that are essential to thriving in the industry.
She encouraged the participants to take advantage of mentorship programs, seek out scholarships for women in aviation, join STEM programs, and connect with women already working in the field.
Above all, she stressed the importance of persistence and self-belief as the keys to a successful career.
She concluded by stressing that by nurturing the next generation of aviation professionals, UCAA and its partners are not just building a more balanced workforce, they are shaping the future of Uganda’s aviation sector.