Mrs Museveni hails women in construction industry

KAMPALA: The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Ms Janet Kataha Museveni, has applauded the inclusion of women in the country’s construction industry.

The First Lady commended companies such as SMS Construction, Steal & tube for their outstanding service and commitment to gender inclusion.

Mrs Museveni who was inaugurating the Women in Construction Symposium 2025 at the Kololo Independence Grounds on Friday Mrs. Museveni commended women for delivering quality of work.

The symposium was organised by the Uganda National Association of Builders, Suppliers, and Engineering Contractors (UNABSEC) together with the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce (South Africa).

“We believe in quality service delivery as a government, and SMS Construction, along with Steel & Tube, Roofings, Uganda Baati, Simba Cement, and others, have demonstrated that commitment under the guidance of UNABSEC,” the First Lady said.

“I encourage you all to continue your good work. The government is ready to walk this journey with you,” she added.

The symposium is running under the theme, “Levelling the Ground to Upscale Effective Participation of Women in Construction and Infrastructure Development.”

The First Lady emphasized the importance of offering jobs to women in the sector, adding: “I have seen women engineers and quantity surveyors from different Construction companies and other companies, and I’m proud of their contributions.”

“I call on all company directors to open more doors for women. They are equally capable of delivering high-quality services.” she stated.

The President of UNABSEC Kiara Binta Nkuranga, called for inclusivity in giving jobs to w the association’s first female president, echoed the call for inclusivity.

“We need to see women beyond roles like flag bearers and tea girls. It’s time to empower them as project managers, site engineers, and leaders,” she said.

Nkuranga also announced the launch of the Women in Construction Uganda Chapter, a landmark initiative designed to support, mentor, and advocate for women professionals in the sector.

“This chapter will serve as a one-stop-centre for data collection and support systems to bridge existing gaps in women’s participation,” she added. “We want to ensure visibility and connectivity for women plumbers, welders, and other skilled workers.”

She further appealed to the First Lady to help make construction-related courses more attractive to young girls. “Your presence here, as the highest-ranking woman in the country, inspires confidence in this movement,” she said.

SMS Construction Director Ainea Ashaba expressed gratitude for the First Lady’s support and reaffirmed the company’s dedication to delivering high-quality services while promoting gender equality.

“At SMS Construction, we are committed to excellence across Uganda and the East African region. We also pledge to continue offering opportunities to women in our industry,” said Ashaba. “We thank the Ugandan government for its unwavering support.”

The Women in Construction Symposium 2025 marks a significant step forward in redefining gender roles in Uganda’s construction sector and sets the stage for sustained efforts toward inclusivity and quality service.