Girls urged to pursue careers in aviation

Key figures in Uganda’s aviation sector have called for more girls to consider careers in the industry, encouraging them to take up roles in fields such as piloting, air traffic control, and aircraft maintenance.

The appeal was made during the Girls in Aviation Day event, organised by Air Serv at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) head offices in Entebbe.

The event, held under the theme “I am the Future of Aviation,” aimed to inspire and guide young girls towards careers in the male-dominated field.

Speaking at the event, UCAA Deputy Director General Ms. Olive Birungi Lumonya highlighted the importance of increasing female representation in technical aviation roles.

“Globally, celebrating girls in aviation is one of the strategies to boost the number of women in technical positions, such as pilots and air traffic controllers. Currently, the number of women in aviation remains low, and we need more female leaders, especially young girls,” Lumonya said.

She encouraged girls to pursue science subjects, as strong academic performance in these areas is crucial for entry into the aviation sector.

Lumonya also pointed out that the UCAA has made strides towards gender equality, with women now making up 32% of the workforce—a significant increase from previous years.

“We have seen annual growth of about 5% in female representation over the past five years, which is a positive trend.”

Ms. Robinah Nalumu, Director for Marketing and Client Care at Air Serv, echoed Lumonya’s sentiments, stating that the event was designed to inspire future aviators.

“We invited girls from across the country to learn more about aviation and how they can be part of its future. This is the first event Air Serv is hosting, and we plan to make it an annual occurrence, with the next one scheduled for February 2025.”

The inaugural event saw participation from over 30 schools, with more than 100 girls attending and engaging with professionals from UCAA, Uganda Airlines, and Air Serv.

Nalumu emphasised that the number of women in aviation is still low, but events like these aim to change that. “Our goal is to inspire these girls by sharing stories of those who have successfully navigated this journey.”

Eva Luyiga, an air traffic controller at UCAA, shared her experience of working in a traditionally male-dominated role.

“Many people assume that air traffic control is a man’s job, but women can do it too. I have been an air traffic controller for almost nine years, and I am still going strong,” she said, encouraging the girls to break stereotypes.

One of the attendees, Ivy Nabbosa Luggya, a student at Mount St. Mary’s College Namagunga, expressed her enthusiasm for the event.

“We gained valuable insights into the various career opportunities in aviation. I recommend that boys also be included in future events, as much of this knowledge isn’t easily accessible online,” she said.