Entrepreneur and gender equality activist Manuela Mulondo has urged women to reject the idea that they must choose between career success and family life, calling it one of the biggest myths limiting women today.
Speaking on NBS Morning Breakfast, Ms Mulondo said many women struggle with imposter syndrome—the feeling that they do not belong in certain spaces—but the real barrier is often belief, not ability.
She explained that women are frequently told they cannot have both a thriving career and a fulfilling home life, forcing unnecessary choices.
“We are told we don’t belong at certain tables because we are different,” she said, adding that this mindset must change.
Instead of trying to prove they can do what men do, Ms Mulondo encouraged women to embrace their individuality.
“What a man can do, a woman can do differently,” she said, emphasizing that women should bring their own experiences, skills, and strengths without trying to fit a certain mould.
Ms Mulondo noted that many women feel judged when entering new spaces, but confidence comes from knowing you are where you are meant to be.
She urged women to trust their journey and stop trying to copy others, explaining that authenticity diminishes the power of criticism.
On balancing work and home life, Ms Mulondo acknowledged that many women constantly juggle responsibilities, thinking about home while at work and vice versa. Rather than viewing this as failure, she said it reflects a deeper purpose.
“That desire to have both did not come from nowhere,” she explained.
She highlighted the role of faith in navigating life’s demands, noting that some solutions seem “supernatural,” as when overlapping commitments resolve in unexpected ways.
Ms Mulondo stressed that women should not chase perfection but accept that balance can manifest in different forms.
Her remarks come as more women globally move away from competing with men and instead focus on authenticity and carving their own paths.
In Uganda, her message resonates as women increasingly assume leadership roles while facing strong cultural expectations at home, often under pressure to succeed in both spheres without adequate support.
