Uganda is in the spotlight. Dr. Theopista Ntale Sekitto, Jamila Mayanja and Barbara Mutabazi have been named among 55 exceptional women honoured by KFC to mark International Women’s Day 2026 — a celebration of impact under the theme “Give to Gain.”
The recognition spans 22 African countries where KFC operates, spotlighting women whose work is transforming systems, uplifting communities and advancing gender equality across the continent. This year’s list represents one woman for every year KFC has operated in Africa. And Uganda’s trio stands tall.
Dr. Theopista Ntale Sekitto: Rewriting the Rules of Finance
A powerhouse in banking and social entrepreneurship, Dr. Theopista Ntale Sekitto is advancing financial inclusion at a continental scale.
She is leading — alongside Uganda’s Ministry of Finance — the creation of Africa’s first Citizens Financial Reference Bureau, aimed at protecting consumers through transparent financial guidance. Her influence has already reshaped Uganda’s financial ecosystem. In 2025, she was honoured for championing Uganda’s adoption of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code, inspired by the Financial Alliance for Women Summit.
While at dfcu Bank, she designed one of Uganda’s first comprehensive Women in Business programmes, conceived FINISAVE, and proposed the country’s first digital borrowing guidelines to curb predatory lending.
Her work isn’t just about banking — it’s about dignity, fairness and economic sovereignty for women.
Jamila Mayanja: Engineering Opportunity for Girls
If innovation had a heartbeat in Uganda’s education sector, it would sound like Jamila Mayanja.
A social entrepreneur with a bold, practical approach, Jamila pioneered the Solar Smart Bag — a brilliant hybrid of a solar-powered study light and a reusable sanitary kit. The invention tackles two of the biggest barriers to girls’ education: lack of electricity and period poverty.
Through her Girls with Tools programme, she trains women from urban slums in mechanics, carpentry and electrical trades — fields long dominated by men. Her Class on Wheels mobile STEM lab brings coding and technology training to remote villages.
In 2023, she became the first Ugandan educator to win the Schools 2030 Global Innovation Award, cementing her status as a continental leader in human-centred education solutions.
Jamila isn’t just keeping girls in school. She’s changing what they believe is possible.
Barbara Mutabazi: Powering Africa’s Digital Future
Barbara Mutabazi is reshaping Africa’s digital economy from the ground up.
She co-founded Hive Colab, Uganda’s first tech innovation hub and accelerator, and later established Women in Technology Uganda (WITU) — the country’s first dedicated digital skills centre for underserved women.
Through Nsimbi Impact, she launched Africa’s first AI-powered digital women’s bank targeting last-mile entrepreneurs. Her co-developed Digital & Financial Literacy Toolkit, adopted by the Bank of Uganda, standardised nationwide training and strengthened women’s economic independence.
Daniel Kalinaki Set to Retire from Nation Media Group in AprilBarbara’s work bridges technology and inclusion — ensuring that Africa’s digital revolution has women at its core.
A Continental Roll Call of Impact
While Uganda shines brightly, the 2026 list reflects a powerful pan-African movement.
Kenya is represented by Former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, whose Beyond Zero initiative delivered mobile healthcare to all 47 counties; Nice Leng’ete, who helped thousands of girls escape FGM; Renice Owino of Code with Kids; and Umra Omar, founder of Safari Doctors serving remote island communities.
Rwanda’s Mary Balikungeri built post-genocide Safe Spaces for women, while Jeanne Yamfashije is shaping the country’s digital future through Girls in ICT.
Tanzania features global environmental leader Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, disability rights advocate Nuru Awadh Abdallah, and child marriage legal crusader Rebeca Gyumi.
Malawi’s Dr. Rachel Sibande is powering youth innovation through mHub, joined by education advocate Ulanda Mtamba and maternal health champion Charity Salima.
Zambia highlights STEM advocate Mwangala Maunga and finance leader Natasha Banda.
Zimbabwe honours gender activist Betty Makoni and biotech entrepreneur Sicelo Dube.
From South Africa, the list includes legal pioneer Mandisa Maya, global AIDS researcher Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, investment innovator Lerato Lehoko and fashion industry reformer Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe.
In Nigeria, names like Ibukun Awosika, Aramide Abe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and mental health advocate Hauwa Ojeifo represent leadership across business, literature and policy reform.
Namibia celebrates former First Lady Monica Geingos, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi and ophthalmology pioneer Dr. Helena Ndume.
Mozambique recognises Alexandra Machado, Josina Machel and Sara Fakir for innovation and GBV advocacy.
Mauritius, Madagascar and Lesotho spotlight political leaders, tech entrepreneurs and menstrual health advocates reshaping systems from the ground up.
From Ghana’s inclusive tech champion Farida Bedwei to Gabon’s legal reformer Estelle Ondo; from Eswatini’s healthcare innovator Echo Nomsa VanderWal to Côte d’Ivoire’s digital skills pioneer Raissa Banhoro; from Botswana’s young minister Lesego Chombo to Angola’s finance reformer Vera Daves de Sousa — the message is unmistakable.
Beyond Recognition
KFC Africa’s General Manager, Akhona Qengqe, noted that these are women whose impact spans generations through mentorship, protection, access, knowledge, opportunity and time.
“These are not just stories of individual achievement. We deliberately sought out women whose influence may not fill stadiums but whose impact is changing lives across multiple generations. What unites them is what they give: mentorship, protection, access, knowledge, visibility, opportunity, resources and time.”
