Ugandan’s Jacqueline Nyapendi re-elected global president of YAWC Network

Uganda’s Jacqueline Nyapendi has been declared winner of the just-ended Global elections of the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) Network. This will be her second and last term in office as the Global President of the leading pan-African women’s network.

It would be recalled that after the restructuring of the network in the year 2020, Ms Nyapendi contested unopposed and won as the first-ever Global President of the Network. The membership of the network through an electoral college of the eight active National Chapters across the Africa continent have reposed their confidence once again in her to lead their women empowerment agenda on the African continent and the diaspora world.

Careerwise, Ms Nyapendi is a Product Specialist at Stanbic Bank, Uganda. Other roles she has played in the bank include Leader for Salesforce Product from October 2021 to September 2022; Human Capital Business Partner from September 2017 to September 2021; Lean Coach from October 2014 to August 2017; Branch Customer Service Manager from May 2013 to September 2014; Branch Manager from May 2011 to April 2013; Customer Consultant from April 2007 to October 2007; Customer Service Consultant from October 2006 to April 2007 and Bank Teller from January 2006 to September 2006.

She has a certificate in Transformation coaching and sustainable change from International Coaching Federation - Kampala, Uganda (2019); Master's degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from Uganda Christian University - Kampala, Uganda (March 2013); Bachelor's degree in Management Science from Kyambogo University - Kampala, Uganda (March 2007); General Certificate of Education (GCE) in Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education from Iganga Secondary School - Kampala, Uganda (November 2002); Certificate of higher education in Certificate in Introduction to Computing from the African Virtual University – Uganda Polytechnic Campus - Kampala, Uganda (November 2000) and General Certificate of Secondary Education in Uganda Certificate of Education from Iganga Secondary School - Kampala, Uganda (November 1999).

Her leadership achievements include 1st Global President, the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) Network from October 2020 to December 2022 - The vote of confidence by the YAWC Network members enabled her to achieve the following: Focused on building a Global secretariat– Created an online platform for Chapter Presidents to speak out and share what they are running with in their respective chapters on a quarterly and also highlight challenges faced.

This encouraged accountability, ownership, recognition and sharing of best practices within chapters; Advocacy of women’s issues across the globe – Participated in Chapter initiatives like Peace Campaign run by Cameroon Chapter of the YAWC Network, Breast Cancer Awareness by the Uganda Chapter done online and through a school talk show supported by Carol Atuhirwe Cancer Initiative; Facilitated a talk at Remnant Generation, an NGO in Uganda that supports teenage mothers; Resource mobilization - Joined the Chapter executives to plan, coordinate country initiatives ranging from Talk Shows on TV, visited schools to conduct career talks, facilitated Meet & Greets for the country.

These were country-led and self-sustaining initiatives. Plans to have proposals written for external funders are being put in place; Support Women-led campaigns – Participated in Chapter initiatives to advocate for matters affecting women in peace, health, and financial support.

As Global President of the YAWC Network, I participated in the 2021 Virtuous Woman Conference in Uganda as a speaker, and do currently mentor Youths under the Virtuous Women Mentorship Programme; 1st Chapter President of the Uganda Chapter of the YAWC Network from 2018 to 2020- she led the establishment of the Uganda Chapter of the YAWC Network after attending her first convocation in Accra in July 2018.

She has authored a Leadership Book: “THRIVE- Overcome workplace barriers and maximise your influence as Female Leader”.

Ms Nyapendi is expected to work with the Global Secretariat to consolidate the gains made by the Network since its inception in 2016 and also expand the network to countries where there are no National chapters.