Stella Amuge

In 1988 I qualified as a bio-chemist but couldn’t get a job. I joined cooperatives and the union there was a closed shop by then. I had a chance then to undergo trade union education. The trade union training revived the leadership ego in me because throughout my school life I was either class prefect or head girl. I never liked the idea that women are weak. I learnt a lot from trade union training especially the fact that trade unions seek justice for the workers’ cause and the fact that even people of low status are heard.

In 1995 I joined National Water and Sewerage Corporation and took up a position of Occupational Health and Safety representative at branch level. My aim of taking up this position was to teach others how to protect themselves at work. I later went for further studies at University level and graduated with a bachelors degree as a Biomedical lab technician but still continued with my post of OHS representative to date. I also trained as a study circle leader under the Public Services International ( PSI) programme coordinated by Sister Flavia Amoding and later as an instructor in National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU). I endeavour to bring out the potential in those I teach.

I still continue recruiting others into the union and at the moment am undertaking a masters’ degree in environment.

Kim Agnes Atwooki

I am married with 5 children 2 girls 3 boys. I started working in National Water and Sewerage Corporation Jinja branch as an accounts assistant in1983 and National Water and Sewerage Corporation was male dominated at that time. I did not know what union is but it was a closed shop. We were only three women in the Jinja area office. When branch elections were held I stood for the post of treasurer and won it. In 1992 I was trained as a study circle leader and later as a trade union Instructor under the Public Services International Programme coordinated by Sister Flavia Amoding and we were given certificates. I taught many women in my branch through study circles and later at national level I trained Trainers. Many women joined the union and gained leadership positions as a result of trade union education. I too rose up from branch leadership to national level first as Chairperson of My union’s women Committee and later won the post of chairperson women committee of the national center NOTU a post I still hold to date.

In 2002 I was elected as a titular member to the ICFTU- Afro Africa Women’s Committee where I participated in developing a gender sensitive constitution for ICFTU. I later joined University for a bachelors degree in Business Administration and now pursuing a maters degree in the same field.

Through hard work and commitment I was promoted to the post of Senior Accounts Officer at my workplace.

I love God and encourage others to love God. I encourage women to stand up for leadership positions wherever you are without fear.