By Aggrey Baba
In Africa, we’re told that “when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” But few embody this belief as passionately as Lydia Wanyoto, a Ugandan lawyer, politician, and diplomat whose advocacy for women’s empowerment has been a defining pillar of her career.
As the world observes International Women’s Day today, she underscores the need of prioritizing girls’ education, describing it as the most effective tool for achieving gender equality and national development.
Born in Mbale, Wanyoto’s educational journey began at Fairway Primary School before advancing to Gayaza High School for her O-Level studies. She later completed her A-Levels at Makerere High School and pursued higher education at Uganda Christian University, where she earned a Bachelor of Education in Languages.
Wanyoto later acquired a Bachelor of Laws from the same institution, followed by a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre in Kampala. Her academic journey continued with two master’s degrees from Makerere University, one in Human Rights Law and another in Gender and Women Studies.
Her leadership potential was evident early in life, and she was elected Chairperson of Marty Stuart Hall at Makerere University in 1995. During the same period, she volunteered in the Constituent Assembly, which was drafting Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, marking the beginning of her involvement in national governance.
In 2001, she was elected to the first East African Legislative Assembly, where she served two consecutive terms. Her diplomatic expertise was later recognized with her appointment as Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, based in Ethiopia.
She also briefly served as acting head of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) during a critical period of the mission.
Wanyoto has remained a strong advocate for girls’ education, arguing that keeping girls in school is not just a social obligation but an economic necessity. She emphasizes that girls who complete at least 12 years of education are more likely to secure better employment, delay marriage, and contribute to economic growth.
Studies have shown that women with secondary education earn nearly twice as much as those with only primary education, and those with tertiary education earn nearly three times more. She notes that Uganda has made progress in promoting girls’ education, citing policies such as Universal Primary Education and affirmative action in university admissions.
However, she stresses that challenges remain, particularly in addressing school dropout rates due to poverty, early marriage, and cultural barriers.
Beyond her political and diplomatic roles, Wanyoto has remained actively involved in philanthropy. She established the Wanyoto Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting marginalized communities, particularly girls in education.
She also serves on the council of Uganda Christian University, where she continues to champion access to quality education.
Her personal life has also been marked by leadership and resilience. She was married to the late James Shinyabulo Mutende, who served as Uganda’s State Minister of Industry until his passing in 2015. Despite personal loss, she has remained committed to public service and the advancement of women’s rights.
As Uganda moves towards its Fourth National Development Plan, Wanyoto calls for more targeted investment in education, particularly under the Human Capital Development Programme.
She believes that no country can develop by leaving half of its population behind. Her message to young girls is to seize every opportunity to learn because education is the most powerful tool for transformation.
With leaders like Lydia Wanyoto at the forefront of this cause, the future of girls’ education in Uganda remains bright. As the world marks International Women’s Day, her voice stands as a reminder that empowering women begins in the classroom. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
