Women to Watch UG

🌟Empowering women, one story at a time. Join us in celebrating women's achievements across Africa. Let's rise together!

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

What is ‘women to watch’?
"The Women to Watch" platform aims to empower and highlight the accomplishments of African women. It provides essential resources, inspiration, and support, especially for those facing unique obstacles or limited opportunities. #WomenToWatch #LaunchDay

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

In doing so, she has created a legacy of conservation through compassion, knowledge, and empowerment, proving that even the most challenging conservation issues can be met with hope, resilience, and community.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Through her visionary approach, Dr. Gladys Kalema has transformed the way conservation is practiced in Uganda. She has shown that by empowering communities and prioritizing public health, environmental protection becomes a shared goal and one that benefits all.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is a name synonymous with conservation and environmental stewardship. A pioneering wildlife veterinarian and founder of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), Dr. Kalema has redefined conservation by integrating wildlife protection with community.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Her philosophy, that “the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems is interconnected,” has inspired a new generation of Ugandan women embracing conservation as a path to both personal growth and environmental protection.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

She is now recognized globally as a leader in community-based conservation. Her work has received numerous awards, yet her deepest satisfaction comes from seeing women gain the confidence and skills to contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

By empowering women to play an active role in conservation, Dr. Kalema has fostered a sense of ownership and pride in preserving the local environment.

Dr. Kalema’s impact has rippled far beyond Uganda’s borders.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

That help prevent gorillas from raiding crops, in turn reducing human-wildlife conflict. This approach has benefited gorillas and increased agricultural productivity and food security for the community.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

These women, known as Village Health and Conservation Teams, act as trusted sources of knowledge and care, bridging the gap between conservation and local needs.

Through CTPH, Dr. Kalema also provides women with economic opportunities, sustainable farming practices.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Equipping them with skills to promote hygiene, family planning, and disease prevention in their communities. By focusing on women’s empowerment, she has created a network of local champions who help reduce human-wildlife conflict and improve community health.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

This insight led her to establish CTPH, an organization focused on safeguarding both animal and human health through preventive and community-driven strategies.

One of Dr. Kalema's key initiatives is training local women as Community Health Workers.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Early in her career, Dr. Kalema recognized the interconnectedness between the health of the gorillas and the health of the communities living near the park. Human-wildlife disease transmission was a growing risk, and the need for a holistic approach to conservation was clear.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Her work preserves Uganda’s endangered gorilla populations and uplifts local communities, particularly women, through education and empowerment.

Her journey began with a vision to protect the mountain gorillas, critically endangered species in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Through her work, Doreen continues to create not digital solutions and a movement of women who are ready to make their mark in technology. Her journey shows that the future of fintech and of tech in Uganda will be shaped by the hands of women empowered, determined, and united.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

In Uganda’s fast-evolving digital economy, one name stands out for her work in fintech and dedication to empowering others: Doreen Lukandwa. As the Director of Partnerships at Beyonic, a leading fintech company that supports businesses in managing digital payments across Africa.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

For many women in Uganda, the fintech industry now seems more accessible, thanks to her efforts. By building networks, providing mentorship, and promoting equitable practices within her organization, she has paved a way for the next generation of Ugandan women to thrive in tech.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

"To succeed in tech, one must first believe in their own potential," she often shares in mentorship sessions, words that have resonated with countless young women in Uganda.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Doreen’s leadership style is empowering, and she is known for creating collaborative spaces where women feel valued and heard. Through her initiatives, she has helped redefine how women see themselves in Uganda’s tech landscape.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Recognizing that the tech industry can feel exclusive and intimidating, Doreen frequently collaborates with programs designed to equip young women with digital skills. Her mentorship has inspired many Ugandan women to pursue paths in tech, entrepreneurship, and digital finance.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

She is passionately committed to gender equity in the tech industry, advocating for and actively supporting programs that encourage women’s participation in fintech.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Today, through her role, she facilitates partnerships and digital solutions that enable organizations to operate smoothly, with tech-driven insights that are shaping Uganda’s financial sector.

However, Doreen’s impact is far from confined to technology alone.

[Women to Watch UG @WomentowatchUg]

Her work with Beyonic has brought mobile and digital payment solutions to businesses, NGOs, and individuals across the region, ensuring safer, quicker, and more efficient transactions.