In a powerful tribute to Uganda’s changemakers, MTN Uganda has honored Dr. Barbara Ofwono, Founder and CEO of Victorious Education Services (VES), for her transformative impact on women’s leadership and education.
The recognition, part of MTN’s Women’s Month celebrations, spotlights her 25-year journey of breaking barriers in academia and corporate leadership.
A Legacy of Opening Doors for Women
During a special ceremony at VES’s Namirembe Road headquarters, Ibrahim Senyonga, MTN Uganda’s GM of Enterprise Business, praised Dr. Ofwono’s visionary approach:
“Dr. Ofwono isn’t just educating girls—she’s building a pipeline of future CEOs. At MTN, we see women’s empowerment as an economic imperative, and her work aligns perfectly with our mission.”
Key milestones under Dr. Ofwono’s leadership:
✅ 5,000+ students across 5 campuses and online programs
✅ 70% female leadership at VES institutions
✅ 1,200+ young graduates employed through inclusive hiring
The Glass Ceiling in Ugandan Boardrooms
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Ofwono highlighted systemic hurdles:
“Many boards demand CEO experience, yet only 12% of Ugandan CEOs are women. This Catch-22 keeps doors closed. We must create stepping stones, not roadblocks.”
Her solution? The “Lift As You Climb” Initiative – a mentorship program pairing VES alumnae with corporate leaders. Early results show 85% of participants securing promotions within two years.
From Rejection to Revolution
Dr. Ofwono’s personal story resonated deeply:
“When traditional schools said ‘no,’ I built my own table. VES began in 1999 with 30 students under a mango tree. Today, we’re shaping Uganda’s next generation of female innovators.”
Her model prioritizes:
🔹 Skills over paper credentials – Hiring and training fresh graduates
🔹 Flexible learning – Online platforms for working mothers
🔹 Leadership incubators – Student-run enterprises on campus
MTN Doubles Down on Gender Equity
The telecom giant announced expanded partnerships to scale Dr. Ofwono’s work:
📢 Digital Skills Labs – MTN-funded tech hubs at VES campuses
📢 She’s Next Initiative – UGX 500M fund for women-led education startups
📢 Board Ready Program – Preparing 100 women for directorship by 2026
“True progress requires ecosystem change,” noted Senyonga. “We’re not just celebrating Dr. Ofwono—we’re investing in her blueprint.”
With Uganda ranking 144th in gender parity (World Economic Forum 2024), such collaborations offer tangible hope:
- For Students: 1,200+ scholarships pledged for girls in STEM
- For Economy: Research shows gender-equal companies are 21% more profitable
- For Society: Each educated woman uplifts 8 family members (UNESCO data)
As Dr. Ofwono concluded: “This award isn’t mine—it’s for every woman told she’s ‘too ambitious.’ Together, we’re rewriting the rules.”
