Ugandan Women Breaking Barriers in Painting and Driving

In Uganda, women are increasingly entering fields long considered men’s domain, from construction painting to urban driving. Their success stories underscore that perseverance and talent transcend gender stereotypes.

Caroline Kajumba from Ssumbwe Parish in Wakiso District never imagined becoming a painter after finishing Senior Six in 2012. After hawking clothes, losing savings to a scam, and briefly trying tailoring, she shifted paths while cooking at a Kampala construction site. Noticing painters earned far more than her Shs5,000 daily wage, she apprenticed by cleaning sites before wielding a brush herself.

The job demanded climbing multi-storey buildings and painting ceilings, testing her strength. Yet, her skills grew, boosting earnings to Shs20,000 a day. She slept at sites to cut costs and later went independent, now supervising a team and supporting her family. Kajumba values her financial independence in marriage and insists anyone can excel in any role with competence.

Diana Kaitesi launched Pinkie Rides, a women-only transport service, after concerns about male drivers’ safety for her children and friends. Operating for a year via phone bookings and referrals, it serves working women, mothers, and families prioritizing trust and comfort.

Drivers undergo vetting, training in customer service, and background checks. Clients share tales of past harassment or unsafe rides, validating the service. With 20 female drivers and plans for a rating app, Kaitesi draws from her tourism background to emphasize care, like a loyal cancer patient driver bond.

These women prove opportunity and resilience redefine work in Uganda.

Source: Daily Monitor