The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in collaboration with AirServ and African Leaders in Aviation, successfully hosted its second annual Girls in Aviation Day on September 24, 2025. The initiative is designed to inspire, mentor, and motivate young women to explore careers in aviation, a field where female representation has traditionally been low.
This event is aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Programme, which promotes youth involvement in aviation and champions gender equality across the sector.
Engaging Young Minds in Aviation
The celebration drew students from schools across Uganda, including Mt. St. Mary’s College Namagunga, MerryLand International School, Olea Primary School, St. Peter’s S.S., Hope Senior School, St. Mark High School, and Gayaza High School. Participants had the opportunity to learn, connect with industry professionals, and gain insights into potential aviation careers.Driving Gender Inclusivity
During the event, UCAA Acting Director General, Ms. Olive B. Lumonya, reiterated the Authority’s dedication to increasing female participation in aviation.
“We are committed to programs that attract, educate, and empower young people—especially girls—to follow their dreams in aviation,” Ms. Lumonya said.
“Currently, women make up 32% of UCAA’s workforce, and we are determined to grow this number.”
She highlighted the importance of exposing young girls to the broad spectrum of aviation careers. Beyond piloting, opportunities exist in airport and airline operations, flight coordination, ground handling, aircraft maintenance, finance, administration, and emerging tech-driven roles like drone management and advanced air mobility.
Mentorship and Resilience: Keys to Success
Ms. Lumonya also spoke candidly about the challenges women may face in a male-dominated sector, framing them as avenues for personal and professional growth. She encouraged attendees to actively seek mentorship, apply for aviation-focused scholarships, participate in STEM initiatives, and network with established women in the industry.
“Persistence, self-belief, and resilience are essential for success,” she noted, emphasizing that nurturing young aviation talent today is critical to shaping Uganda’s aviation industry tomorrow.
A Vision for the Future
The Girls in Aviation Day initiative represents UCAA’s commitment to creating a more balanced, inclusive workforce while inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals. By supporting young women, the Authority and its partners aim to foster innovation, diversity, and long-term growth in Uganda’s aviation sector.
Tags: Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Girls in Aviation Day, Olive B. Lumonya, Aviation Careers, Gender Equality, Mentorship, STEM
