Female Future Uganda Graduation ceremony

Ms Josephine Kallebi receiving her certificate from Ms Sekitolello and Mr Kasengende

16 women from both the private and public sector received their certificates for the Female Future Program in Uganda at a graduation dinner held at the Serena Hotel Conference Centre in Kampala on Thursday the 15th of December 2011.

After six months of intensive training courses in Leadership, Rhetoric and Board Competence conducted by Coach Africa and the Institute of Corporate Governance  in Uganda (ICGU), the journey to self re-discovery as the ladies termed it, reached its climax as they were presented with well deserved certificates at a colorful ceremony charged with the Female Future spirit and a strong sense of accomplishment.

Clad in purple, the color of royalty, in a room decorated in the same color the ladies introduced themselves in impromptu flamboyant speeches termed by the Female Future program experts as the elevator speech. It was evident from these speeches that the levels of confidence were high as each of the participants described the impact of the Female Future Program in their everyday lives and their careers, as Ms. Josephine Kaleebi CEO from Junior Achievement remarked, “ I not only feel more energized but also very capable of managing both my life and career aspirations. Yes the time is now. Women are able; we only have to stand out to be counted.” She also thanked the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) and Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), for introducing such a program to Uganda and so did all the other participants as well.

Both, the former Minister of Agriculture in Uganda Ms. Victoria Sekitolello who was the guest of Honor at the ceremony and the Board Chairman of FUE Mr. Martin Kasekende spoke highly of the Female Future Program and emphasized on the necessecity of  having such a program which equips  women with the tools necessary for leadership and board positions in the businesses. The former minister called upon the women to be the voice of other women, and to speak out against malpractices such as corruption in Uganda. The two later issued out the certificates to the participants.

Among the participants were the Executive director of FUE Ms. Rosemary Ssenabulya, the coordinator for the Female Future Program Ms. Fatmah Nsereko and Ms. Josephine Kaleebi CEO of Junior Achievement Uganda. The event was covered by four different newspapers.
 

On behalf of NHO, Nina Solli, the project leader for Female Future in Norway expressed satisfaction at the way the Female Future Program had been adapted and implemented in Uganda. Different businesses were represented at the event and after hearing the different testimonies from the participants some businesses pledged to recommend and to support talent for the next Female Future intake in 2012.