Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Launches ERA 2026 Women in Energy School Outreach to Empower Girls in Kiboga

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has officially launched its 2026 School Outreach Program aimed at boosting girls’ participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

The initiative seeks to inspire secondary school students to pursue STEM careers while advancing women’s involvement in the energy sector. The launch was officiated by Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, at Bukomero Secondary School in Kiboga on March 27, 2026, with six schools participating.

This year, the outreach program is set to extend to schools across Kiboga, Hoima, Masindi, Soroti, and Kaberamaido, further widening its impact.

While officiating the event, Hon. Nankabirwa commended the program, emphasizing the importance of encouraging secondary school students to pursue STEM careers, which in turn contribute to advancing women’s participation in the energy sector.

She challenged girls to be brave and pursue positions traditionally held by men, emphasizing that starting early gives them the confidence and skills to succeed just like their male counterparts. She encouraged them by highlighting that women make up 50% of the staff in the Ministry of Energy, stressing the importance of actively pursuing STEM careers in the energy sector.

She also highlighted the value of resilience, self-love, and the adoption of clean energy solutions, noting ERA’s special lower cooking tariff for institutions.

ERA’s CEO, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, She advised students to avoid distractions such as money, social media, and sexual relationships, stressing the importance of faith, discipline, and the fight against electricity vandalism.

She noted that one of the key reasons for encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers is to allow women in energy positions to share their experiences and inspire the next generation, emphasizing that a strong foundation in science-related subjects helped them achieve their dreams.

During the launch, ERA revealed its plans to host its Annual Women in Energy Forum on April 14, 2026, bringing together sector players and academia to discuss ways to advance women’s participation in the energy sector.