Born: 1984 (Nkokonjeru, Buikwe District)
Biography:
Florence Ndagire is a female Ugandan lawyer who has made significant contributions to the field of human rights. She currently works as a legal researcher and human rights lawyer at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Ndagire is not only a trailblazer in her profession, but she is also a source of inspiration for many as she serves as the chairperson of the UN Women Regional Group for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Born in Nkokonjeru, Buikwe District in 1984, Ndagire faced early challenges in life. She was born prematurely at six months gestation and spent the initial days of her life in an incubator. It was during this time that her parents discovered she was blind when they brought her home from the hospital. Despite this setback, Ndagire remained focused and determined to pursue her dreams.
Ndagire attended Bishop Wills Primary School in Iganga District before continuing her education at Makerere University in Kampala. During her time at Makerere, she excelled academically and was elected to the Guild Representative Council (GRC) to represent students in the Faculty of Law. Ndagire graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University and went on to obtain a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (LDC) in Kampala. Her thirst for knowledge did not stop there, as she later earned a Master of Laws from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
In a 2012 interview, Ndagire credited the late Francis Ayume for inspiring her to pursue a career in law. She had admired Ayume’s work and listened to his speeches on the radio and television while growing up. Ayume’s dedication to justice and advocacy resonated with Ndagire and fueled her determination to make a difference in the legal field.
Following her admission to the Uganda Bar in 2009, Ndagire embarked on a successful career in law. She first worked as a Legal Assistant at the law firm Mukisa & Mukisa Company Advocates from July 2009 to July 2010. Ndagire then joined the Uganda Society for Disabled Children as a Policy Lobbying and Advocacy Officer from October 2009 to October 2011. She continued her advocacy work at the Uganda National Association of the Blind, where she served as a Fundraising & Advocacy Officer from March 2012 to July 2013.
In August 2013, Ndagire expanded her horizons by working as a Human Rights and Fundraising Officer for the non-profit organization Light of the World, which had its headquarters in the Netherlands and offices in Uganda. She later joined ADD International, a non-profit based in the United Kingdom, as a senior program officer at their Kampala office from February 2015 to October 2016.
In October 2016, Ndagire achieved another milestone in her career when she was hired as the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Disability Rights, based in Geneva, Switzerland. In this role, she works tirelessly to promote and protect the rights of disabled individuals around the world. Her reports are reviewed by the Human Rights Council, further emphasizing the significance of her work in this field.
Continuing her dedication to human rights, Ndagire joined the World Blind Union as the organization’s Human Rights Policy Adviser in April 2018. This new role allows her to contribute her expertise in shaping human rights policies that specifically address the needs and challenges faced by the visually impaired community.
Awards:
– [No awards or recognitions have been recorded for Florence Ndagire as of the current available data.]