This Friday, April 11, the Sheraton Kampala Hotel will host the inaugural Women in Construction Symposium 2025, a landmark event aimed at amplifying the role of women in Uganda’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
Organized by the Uganda National Association of Builders, Suppliers, and Engineering Contractors (UNABSEC) in partnership with the Pan- African Chamber of Commerce, South Africa, the symposium promises to be a transformative
platform for women professionals, entrepreneurs, and aspiring leaders in the industry.
Mrs. Kiara Binta Nkuranga, the first female president of UNABSEC, announced the event with enthusiasm, emphasizing its significance as her flagship program.
“As the first female president of the association, I intend to create a platform for women in construction and infrastructure development to interact with stakeholders in the sector," she said.
The symposium, themed “Levelling the Ground to Upscale Effective Participation of Women in Construction and Infrastructure Development,” seeks to address the systemic barriers women face in the industry.
Mrs. Nkuranga highlighted the need to move beyond traditional roles for women in construction.
“We need to see women beyond flag girls, unskilled labor, and tea girls,” she stated. “We want to see women manning sites, becoming project managers, site engineers, and decision-makers.”
The event will also mark the launch of the Women in Construction Uganda Chapter, a pioneering initiative to provide support, mentorship, and advocacy for women in the sector.
Mrs. Nkuranga stressed the importance of this chapter as a “one-stop centre for data collection” to address the significant data gaps regarding women’s participation in construction.
“If you did a simple search, you’d find scanty information, often five years old or more,” she noted. “This platform
will bridge that gap and connect women plumbers, welders, and other professionals in the field.”
The symposium boasts high-profile attendance, with Mrs. Janet Kataaha Museveni, First Lady of Uganda and Minister of Education and Sports, serving as the guest of honour.
Mrs. Nkuranga expressed her gratitude for the First Lady’s participation, noting its dual significance.
“As Minister of Education, she can influence how we structure syllabi to make construction courses attractive to girls,” she said. “As the highest-ranking woman in the country, her presence honours this inaugural event.”
Supporting the initiative, Housing Finance Bank, a key sponsor, underscored its commitment to gender equality.
Eric Seguya, Manager of Corporate and SME at the bank, emphasized the importance of empowering women in an underserved sector.
“Women have been significantly underrepresented in construction and engineering,” he said. “This event aligns with our purpose to finance a sustainable future for all and reflects our belief in equal access to economic and professional advancement.”
Seguya added that the bank is keen to deepen its collaboration with UNABSEC to provide financing solutions tailored for women in business, including those in construction.
“We are committed to investing in people and enabling inclusive development,” he affirmed.
Kyarimpa Christine, Country Manager of Veracity Energies Uganda Limited, echoed the call for women to take the lead in the industry. “We are calling all women constructors, engineers, and suppliers to join us this Friday at Sheraton Hotel,” she urged.
“As a leader supervising sites, I’ve seen men dominate because they think we can’t do it. But we can, and sometimes better than them.”
She highlighted the challenges women face at construction sites, from discrimination to assumptions about physical capability. She sees the symposium as an opportunity to “motivate and encourage” women while fostering a network of female professionals.
“If we need the best engineer or construction company led by a woman, we should know where to go,” she said. Her
company will also exhibit its products and services at the event, inviting others to showcase their work and build partnerships.
The symposium will feature keynote speeches from notable figures, including Mr. Johnny Muteba, CEO and founder of the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce, and Ms. Nwanne Vwede- Obahor, UNDP Resident Representative in Uganda.
Mrs. Nkuranga rallied women to participate.
“I encourage every young woman, professional, stakeholder, and organization to join us in this journey of transformation,”
she said.
“Together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for women in construction.”