Born: 1959 (Mbarara District, Western Region, Uganda)
Biography:
Winifred Byanyima, commonly known as Winnie Byanyima, is a Ugandan aeronautical engineer, politician, human rights activist, feminist, and diplomat. Born on January 13, 1959, in Mbarara District, in the Western Region of Uganda, she grew up during a period when Uganda was still a British protectorate. Her parents, Boniface Byanyima and Gertrude Byanyima, played significant roles in shaping her future endeavors. Her father, Boniface Byanyima, was a prominent figure in Ugandan politics and served as the national chairman of the Democratic Party in Uganda. Her mother, Gertrude Byanyima, was a former schoolteacher.
Byanyima received her education at Mount Saint Mary’s College Namagunga in Mukono District. She went on to achieve a groundbreaking feat by becoming the first female Ugandan to earn a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Manchester. Her passion for engineering led her to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, specializing in energy conservation, from Cranfield University.
After completing her education, Byanyima joined Uganda Airlines as a flight engineer. However, her life took an unexpected turn when Yoweri Museveni initiated the Ugandan Bush War in 1981. Inspired by her shared childhood with Museveni, the Byanyima family’s generosity towards him, and her belief in the cause, she left her job and joined the armed rebellion. Winnie Byanyima and her husband, Kizza Besigye, both fought alongside Museveni in the National Resistance Army (NRA). Despite their initial support for Museveni, they later became disillusioned with his repressive and undemocratic rule.
After the NRA’s victory in the war, Byanyima served as Uganda’s ambassador to France from 1989 to 1994. Following her diplomatic stint, she returned to Uganda and became actively involved in politics. She played a significant role as a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Ugandan Constitution. Byanyima then served two consecutive terms as a member of parliament, representing Mbarara Municipality from 1994 to 2004. In 2006, she was appointed as the director of the Directorate of Women, Gender and Development at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Her dedication to promoting equal rights and opportunities for women and her extensive experience in politics provided her with a solid foundation in advocating for gender equality at the international level.
In May 2013, Byanyima embarked on a new journey as the executive director of Oxfam International, a global organization committed to fighting poverty and inequality. During her tenure, she spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty and advocating for social justice. Byanyima’s work at Oxfam exemplified her unwavering commitment to championing the rights of marginalized communities, particularly women and girls, across the globe. She skillfully utilized her diplomatic background and the influence garnered through her various roles to advocate for change, mobilize resources, and amplify the voices of those living in poverty.
Throughout her career, Byanyima has consistently demonstrated her passion for dismantling systemic oppression and empowering individuals to realize their full potential. With her extensive knowledge in engineering, her political acumen, and her dedication to human rights, she has become a force to be reckoned with in the fight for equality and justice. Byanyima’s contributions have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on women’s history and have inspired countless individuals to actively engage in shaping a more equitable world.