Makerere University Business School (MUBS) is celebrating a major milestone after Olive Birungi Lumonya, Chairperson of the MUBS Council and Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), was honored among the Top 100 Women in Africa.
She received the recognition during the Africa Women Awards held in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 7, 2025.
Lumonya was celebrated in the Leadership Category, with judges praising her integrity, transformative influence and lasting impact across multiple sectors. Her leadership journey spans more than 30 years and includes roles in education, social development, aviation, marketing and corporate governance. Her work continues to inspire young women across the continent.
In her acceptance speech, Lumonya expressed deep gratitude to God and dedicated the award to her granddaughter, Ayana.
“This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs to everyone who has walked this journey with me. Let us continue to mentor and lift other girls,” she said.
She also thanked her mentors, family, husband Sam, her children, siblings and close friends for their support throughout her career.
Beyond receiving the award, Lumonya delivered the keynote address at the ceremony under the theme “Empowering Heritage, Elevating Futures: Africans Uniting for Sustainable Progress.”
She called for unity, intergenerational mentorship and the preservation of African heritage as core pillars of sustainable transformation. She urged women leaders to innovate, uplift their communities and use their platforms to empower the next generation.
Lumonya currently serves as Vice-Chairperson of the Africa Women in Aviation Association (AWAA). Over the years, she has led major institutions and initiatives, including:
National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Uganda, supporting over 10,000 children
Head of Marketing at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
Founder of the Women Mentorship Programme (2023)
Board member on several influential corporate and nonprofit bodies
Her commitment to women’s empowerment traces back to her participation in the 1995 Beijing World Women’s Conference, a defining moment that shaped her lifelong advocacy for gender equity and ethical leadership.
Her recognition among Africa’s Top 100 Women is both a personal achievement and a point of pride for the MUBS community, where she provides strategic leadership as Council Chairperson.
