Women in Energy Forum 2026: Nankabirwa commends ERA, sector players for initiatives that inspire young girls

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to advancing women’s participation in the energy sector as a key driver of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

At the Women in Energy Dinner held  at the UMA Multi-Purpose Hall, the Minister emphasised that inclusion is not merely a social goal, but a strategic imperative, noting that women play a critical role in managing energy challenges and must be at the forefront of the transition to clean and sustainable energy solutions.

Highlighting ongoing Government interventions such as the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project and the Free LPG Gas initiative, she underscored the urgency of expanding reliable and clean energy access, particularly for women who are disproportionately affected by traditional energy sources.

Nankabirwa also acknowledged the progress made in increasing women’s representation within the sector, while calling for more deliberate efforts to position women in technical and decision-making roles.

She further urged all stakeholders to ensure that energy access reaches underserved communities, stressing that reliable power is essential for household income generation, safety, and improved livelihoods.

The Minister commended the Electricity Regulatory Authority and sector players for their continued efforts, particularly initiatives that inspire young girls to pursue careers in energy.

Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender inclusion in the energy sector during the Women in Energy Forum 2026, a high-level platform dedicated to promoting women’s leadership, innovation, and participation in energy development.

The Forum brought together government leaders, policymakers, and energy stakeholders to highlight the growing role of women in shaping Uganda’s energy future.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, reaffirmed Uganda’s long-term commitment to empowering women in the energy sector.

She emphasized that the Women in Energy Initiative has grown into a transformative national platform.

“We gather not only to celebrate progress, but to reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing the role of women in Uganda’s Energy Sector.”- Eng. Ziria said.

She further noted the scale and impact of the programme over the past eight years:

“What began as a bold idea has grown into a transformative platform guiding girls, inspiring young women, and reshaping a once male-dominated industry,” Eng. Ziria said.

According to her, the initiative has already reached more than 50,000 students across 78 secondary schools nationwide, encouraging young girls to pursue careers in energy and STEM fields.

The CEO emphasized that inclusion is not optional but essential for national development:

“Inclusivity is not optional, it is essential for equitable growth, empowered communities, and sustainable development.” Eng. Ziria CEO said.

She also highlighted the importance of diversity in the workforce:

“A diverse and inclusive workforce is not only fair, it is fundamental to innovation, growth, and the future of the Energy Sector.”- the CEO said.

These statements reflect Uganda’s broader strategy to integrate gender equality into the energy transition and national development agenda.

The Government of Uganda, through its institutions and partners, continues to strengthen policies and programmes aimed at expanding opportunities for women and girls in the energy sector.

These efforts focus on; expanding access to STEM education, supporting leadership development for women, encouraging innovation in energy solutions, and strengthening institutional gender policies.

The long-term goal is to ensure women are fully equipped to lead, innovate, and contribute to Uganda’s energy transformation.

The Chairperson of the ERA Board, Eng. Grania Rosette Rubomboras, reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening women’s participation in the sector during the 4th Edition of the Forum.

She highlighted the importance of inclusion through structured capacity-building programmes such as the Graduate Training Programme, which is supported by over UGX 2 billion annually.

According to her, the programme is central to building a skilled, innovative, and resilient energy workforce.

Eng. Grania also stated, “As we look ahead, we must remain committed to building an energy sector that fully reflects the potential of our nation, one that is inclusive, forward-looking, and driven by women who are not only participants, but leaders and key agents of transformation in Uganda’s development journey.”

At the Women in Energy Forum, Ms. Anena Jenneth Mwa, Senior Projects Engineer at the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited, delivered an inspiring message on resilience, inclusion, and opportunity in the energy sector.

Speaking under the theme “Energy for Equality: Giving to Gain,” Ms. Mwa shared her personal journey from a curious young girl observing her father’s garage from a distance to becoming a professional leading major field operations in the energy sector.

Her experience reflects the importance of breaking barriers and redefining expectations for women in technical fields. From starting out as a linesman trainee to rising into a senior engineering role, her journey highlights how determination, mentorship, and access to opportunity can shape careers.

Ms. Mwa emphasized that energy goes beyond infrastructure, describing it as a driver of opportunity, empowerment, and access. She underscored that achieving equality requires intentional action from both individuals and institutions.

Through her journey, she demonstrated the impact of mentorship, belief, and opportunity in building careers. She now contributes to this cycle by mentoring and supporting young learners, reinforcing the Forum’s theme of “Give to Gain.”

She called on stakeholders to take practical steps towards inclusion, including mentoring young people, supporting education, creating workplace opportunities, and advocating for equitable participation in the energy sector.

Her message highlighted that empowering women and girls is not only a matter of fairness, but a strategic investment in national development.

The Women in Energy Forum continues to serve as a powerful platform for; inspiring young girls to pursue energy careers, strengthening technical capacity in the sector, promoting equal opportunity in leadership and employment, and driving innovation in Uganda’s energy transition.

“As an engineer, I have personally experienced the challenges women face in traditionally male-dominated spaces. It is therefore both encouraging and necessary that platforms such as the Women in Energy Forum continue to create opportunities, break barriers, and inspire a new generation of women to actively participate and lead within the energy sector.” Eng. Rubomboras said.

The Forum reinforces Uganda’s vision of an energy sector where women are not only participants but also leaders driving sustainable national development.

The Women in Energy Forum 2026 has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to building a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable energy future.

The event also marked the official launch of the 3rd Edition of the Women in Energy Magazine.

With over 50,000 young girls already inspired and institutional support growing stronger, Uganda is positioning itself as a regional leader in gender inclusion within the energy sector.