At an age when many of her peers are still in school or searching for opportunities, 18-year-old Eriana Tendo has already carved out a place for herself in one of the toughest and most male-dominated trades in Uganda.
The resident of Mpigi Town spends her days handling welding equipment, cutting metal, lifting heavy materials and fabricating doors, windows and other metal structures.
It is a career path that many people would not expect a young woman to pursue, but for Eriana, it has become both a source of income and a symbol of determination.
For the past five months, she has been working as a metal welder after deciding to learn the trade when other employment opportunities failed to provide a meaningful income.
“I looked for jobs that could help me earn a decent income, but most employers offered only Shs50,000 to Shs70,000 per month. I decided to learn welding because I believed it could provide better opportunities and income,” she said.
Eriana's journey into the workforce began shortly after completing Senior Four in 2024. Despite her desire to continue her studies, financial difficulties at home made it impossible.
“I completed S4 in 2024, but my mother could not afford school fees for A-Level. I searched for something to do but found nothing. We also tried looking for vocational institutes where I could learn practical skills, but the fees were too high. Eventually, after saving some money from small jobs I did with my mother, I found an opportunity to learn welding,” she explained.
Although welding was not part of her childhood ambitions, she says the trade has transformed her outlook on life.
“To be honest, welding was never what I wanted to do. But today, it is the job I love most. I can make windows, doors and many other metal products. Nobody can convince me to leave it unless it is to further my skills in the same field,” she said.
Her decision to enter a field largely associated with men has not been without challenges. Eriana says she often faces criticism and ridicule from some of her peers.
“My female friends laugh at me whenever they see photos of me welding on WhatsApp. Some insult me and say I am doing men’s work. It can be discouraging,” she revealed.
She also encounters skepticism from customers who doubt her abilities because of her gender.
“Sometimes customers find it hard to believe that I can do the work. They question whether I can handle heavy materials or produce quality work. But I have learned to ignore the criticism because I am focused on earning a living,” she said.
Despite the obstacles, Eriana remains focused on her goals. Her greatest motivation, she says, is her mother.
“What keeps me going is my desire to change my mother’s life. She sacrificed everything she could to educate me, but circumstances made it impossible for me to continue with school. I want to work hard and one day build her a house,” she said.
The young welder now dreams of establishing her own workshop, not only to expand her business but also to create opportunities for other young women facing similar struggles.
“My biggest prayer is to get enough capital to start a workshop where girls can learn welding and work together. Many girls fail to continue with school and end up vulnerable. I want to give them practical skills that can help them earn a living and become independent,” she said.
She believes society must move beyond traditional perceptions about jobs being reserved for either men or women.
“The world has changed. There is no longer a job meant only for men or only for women. Girls should not wait for handouts. We should be ready to work hard, even in difficult jobs, as long as they can help us build a better future,” she said.
Today, Eriana confidently fabricates doors, windows and other metal products while continuing to sharpen her skills. Though she is only at the beginning of her journey, her determination has already made her an inspiration to many in her community.
For Eriana, welding is no longer simply a means of survival. It is a pathway to independence, a tool for transforming her family's future and a vehicle for empowering other young women to challenge stereotypes and pursue opportunities wherever they may be found.
