Uganda Airlines and Boeing, in collaboration with Makerere University, recently hosted a high-level Aviation and Youth Seminar aimed at opening global career pathways for Ugandan students. Held at the School of Food Technology, Nutrition, and Bioengineering, the event attracted aviation professionals, diplomats, academics, and hundreds of students eager to explore career opportunities in the aviation industry.
Themed “Aviation & Youth: Connecting Education, Tourism & National Development,” the seminar featured top officials from Uganda Airlines, Boeing, the U.S. Embassy, and Liberty University, and emphasized the vital role aviation plays in the economic development of Uganda and the broader African continent.
Uganda Airlines’ CEO, Jenifer Bamuturaki, delivered an inspiring message to students, encouraging them to see aviation as a field accessible to all academic disciplines. She highlighted the wide range of careers within aviation, including pilots, aircraft engineers, load controllers, lawyers, food scientists, and creative designers. “Aviation needs you,” she said, emphasizing the importance of passion and commitment over specific academic backgrounds.
Bamuturaki also shared her personal journey into the aviation sector, admitting that she discovered her passion for aviation later in life and stressing the importance of early exposure for students. “We are here to build a pipeline from universities into aviation careers,” she stated, assuring students that Uganda Airlines is an equal-opportunity employer and warning against scams.
Herb Wallen, Director of International Sales at Boeing, also shared his inspiring story of how a chance encounter with a pilot as a teenager led him to pursue a career in aviation, which ultimately brought him to Boeing. He emphasized that engineering forms the foundation of all aviation careers, noting that his own success story began in engineering. He also discussed innovations like Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, which offers a lower cabin altitude to reduce passenger fatigue on long-haul flights.
Additionally, Liberty University’s Professor Bismark Agbemble announced that the university is exploring a skills-exchange partnership with Boeing and Ugandan institutions. This partnership aims to prepare a workforce to support Uganda’s growing aviation sector. Agbemble highlighted that Liberty University, with its FAA-accredited School of Aeronautics and regional airport, plans to offer student exchanges, technical support, and training. The university is also considering launching a scholarship fund to support the training of aviation professionals in Uganda.
Brenda Katarikawe Opus, representing the Private Sector Foundation’s PACEID program, emphasized the importance of aviation in boosting Uganda’s exports, from coffee to vegetables, and enabling the country to access global markets. She encouraged students to embrace innovation, noting that the aviation sector is expanding beyond flying planes to include logistics, cargo, and tourism.
Lana Surface, the U.S. Embassy Education & Culture Attaché, praised the collaboration between Boeing and Uganda Airlines and reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to supporting education and talent development in Uganda. She encouraged students to explore opportunities through EducationUSA and other U.S. exchange programs, stressing that all services are free.
The event closed with remarks from Dr. Julia Kigozi, Dean of Makerere University’s School of Food Technology, Nutrition, and Bioengineering, who thanked Boeing and Uganda Airlines for bridging the gap between academia and industry. She emphasized the importance of such engagements in providing students with real-world insights and career opportunities.
The seminar, titled “The Future Starts With You,” featured presentations, career guidance, and interactive sessions with engineers, pilots, and Boeing specialists. Students also had the chance to win Boeing-branded gear and engage in discussions on various aspects of the aviation industry, from technical operations to business management.
This initiative marks a significant step in shaping the future of Uganda’s aviation sector and creating opportunities for the country’s youth to tap into one of the world’s most dynamic industries.
