A new report shows that more women in Uganda are entering technical and manual jobs traditionally dominated by men, marking a major shift in the country’s labour market.
The study, titled “Women in Blue-Collar Labour Markets,” was released by BrighterMonday Uganda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. It examined the experiences of 1,715 young women and 260 key informants across 24 districts.
Why Women Are Joining Technical Trades
According to the report, many young women are turning to technical skills and manual trades because they offer faster and more reliable paths to financial independence compared to traditional service jobs.
At a forum organized by the American Chamber of Commerce Uganda, communications specialist Gladys Rwabuhemba said these careers are increasingly viewed as entrepreneurial opportunities that can help women achieve economic stability.
Where Women Are Working
The report highlights growing female participation across several sectors:
36.7% in light manufacturing
22.4% in agriculture and agro-processing
18.4% in construction
12.2% in electrical installation
These figures show that women are slowly expanding their presence in fields that were once seen as exclusively male occupations.
Barriers Still Exist
Despite the progress, the report warns that women still face significant challenges.
Many women enter the workforce but struggle to rise into leadership or business ownership positions. Rwabuhemba described this as a “firm ceiling” that limits advancement.
The study found that:
28% of women face barriers due to gender stereotypes and occupational segregation.
14% struggle with unpaid care responsibilities at home.
13% work in non-inclusive workplaces lacking proper safety standards.
A workshop supervisor interviewed in Mbale said female workers are often initially assigned lighter tasks and must prove themselves before being trusted with more complex operations.
Different Challenges by Age
The report also found that challenges vary by age group.
Women aged 18–24 often struggle with credibility and professional networks.
Women aged 25–35 aim to start their own businesses, but many lack capital to purchase equipment or expand operations.
According to Xenia Wachira, improved access to asset financing could help these women move from being employees to job creators.
Proposed Solutions
The report recommends broader reforms to support women in blue-collar sectors, including:
Inclusive recruitment policies
Formal apprenticeship systems
Better workplace safety standards
Financial support and asset-based loans for women entrepreneurs
Researchers say addressing these barriers could help unlock a major source of economic growth, making the blue-collar sector a key driver of transformation in Uganda’s economy.
