A Feat Born Out of Diligence - MUK Honours Female Professors.

Byline: Frederick Womakuyu

CLAD in a black and white striped gomesi, Prof. Victoria Mwaka walked forward to receive her award. She was one of the 10 women who were recognised for their academic excellence, which enabled them to climb the ladder to rank of professorship, an achievement that had, until recently, been held by only men.

The function was held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel over the weekend. The retired head of department for gender and women studies worked for 13 years as the head of the geography at Makerere University.

Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, the university vice-chancellor, said the number of female professors at Makerere rose from one in 2008 to six today. "This is due to their hard work and gender equality programmes like affirmative action (the 1.5 points given to girls admitted at the university)." He also attributed the achievement to a gender-sensitive constitution that aims at reducing gender disparities."

Others recognised were Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa, the acting deputy vice-chancellor, academic affairs; Prof. Joyce Kikafunda of the department of food science and technology at Makerere University; Prof. Harriet Mayanja of the Department of internal medicine, Makerere University; and Prof. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo of the department of women and gender studies, Makerere University.

Also awarded were Prof. Ruth Mukama of the Institute of Languages, …