The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has urged girls to pursue careers in aviation, saying the industry offers opportunities beyond piloting and needs more women in technical, managerial and professional roles.
The call was made on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during the third “Girls in Aviation Day” at Entebbe International Airport, where about 100 girls from more than 10 schools participated in career guidance sessions, interacted with aviation professionals and toured a Uganda Airlines aircraft.
The event was organised by UCAA in partnership with Air Serv, Chiedza CheAfrica and Women in Aviation International to encourage girls to explore aviation careers and consider subjects in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Olive B. Lumonya, UCAA’s Acting Director General, said the initiative had reached 300 girls over the past three years, as the authority seeks to broaden awareness of career opportunities in the aviation industry.
“Aviation offers opportunities in areas such as engineering, aircraft maintenance, management, legal services and other specialised fields, in addition to flying aircraft,” she noted.
She also pointed to efforts under the African Women and Youth in Aviation (AWAYA) initiative, supported by the African Civil Aviation Commission, and scholarship opportunities secured through the ITAérea–International Civil Aviation Organisation Developing Countries Scholarship Programme.
“Your gender should never determine the size of your dream,” Lumonya told the participants, urging them to remain focused on their ambitions.
Susan Batuuka, Uganda Airlines’ Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary, who was also serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer, shared her experience working in the aviation sector, including her role in overseeing legal and corporate matters at the national carrier.
“In my legal capacity, no contract goes out without my signature,” she said, explaining how she was the only woman on the airline’s eight-member Executive Committee, while two women served on its Board, including the chairperson.
She encouraged the girls to remain persistent and seek opportunities to participate in decision-making, saying women should be represented at the highest levels of the industry.
“When it matters, be at the table,” she said.
Batuuka also highlighted developments at Uganda Airlines, including a concluded transaction to purchase 10 Boeing aircraft and efforts to increase women’s participation in flight operations.
She said the airline had signed up its first female captain-in-command (Rita Nasirumbi) and expected two more women to take up similar roles. She also noted that the airline had signed an agreement with a flight school for a cadet programme.
Sabah Ahmed, UCAA’s Director of Human Resource, urged the girls to take mathematics, physics, chemistry and other STEM subjects seriously, saying these could open doors to careers across the aviation sector.
“Today is the day to change that mindset and decide that you are going to challenge yourselves,” she said.
Ahmed said the industry depended on professionals working in aircraft design, maintenance, manufacturing, technical systems and environmental innovation, not only pilots and cabin crew.
She encouraged the participants to identify their interests early and seek information about the qualifications required for different aviation professions.
“There is nothing a man can do that a woman cannot do simply because she is a woman. We have brought you examples of women working in aviation so that you can see what is possible,” Ahmed told the students.
Jennifer Nakimwero of Air Serv Limited said Girls in Aviation Day was intended to motivate girls and give them an opportunity to learn directly from people working in the industry.
“Do not be shy. Ask questions and get the information that will help you make informed decisions about what you want to do in aviation,” Nakimwero said.
Robina Nalumu, Air Serv’s Marketing and Client Care Manager, said more Ugandans were entering aviation careers, including pilot training and engineering.
She said Air Serv’s pilots were now Ugandan, contrasting this with an earlier period when the company relied predominantly on American and Canadian pilots.
Nalumu said the growing participation of Ugandans in different aviation roles demonstrated the opportunities available to young people willing to acquire the necessary training and experience.
“We are seeing more girls aspiring to become pilots, engineers and professionals in other aviation-related careers,” Nalumu said.
Captain Deborah Hecker, a Boeing 787 captain with American Airlines, also addressed the girls, drawing on her 37 years of flying experience.
Hecker said American Airlines had more than 17,000 pilots, of whom about 800 were women. She encouraged the girls to work hard, seek support, ask questions and remain committed to their goals.
“When I am flying an aircraft carrying 280 passengers around the world, I have a great responsibility. Maintaining safety requires hard work and constant attention,” Hecker said.
She also challenged the participants not to assume that pursuing aviation would prevent them from having families or building fulfilling personal lives.
“You can have a family and build a successful career. You can do both,” she said.
The event allowed the students to engage with women working in different areas of aviation and learn about the education, training and professional commitment required to enter the industry.
UCAA said the programme formed part of broader efforts to encourage young people to consider aviation careers and support the development of future professionals under the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals initiative.
