&w=64&q=75)
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development encompasses vast sectors including electricity and other forms of energy, all mineral deposits in the country, including the oil and gas industry which is taking off at a fast pace.
In the early days of her term, there were strong voices which came out advising President Yoweri Museveni to split the ministry into three.
The argument then was that industries such as oil and gas were too wide and complex, and required independent ministries. Museveni however did not heed this advice.
As we mark International Women’s Day this week, Minister Nankabirwa shared her experiences on how she has managed to take on this daunting task and registered so much success with little to no prior training in any of the industries under the ministry.
Experience
Despite not having any science degree (she has an undergraduate degree in fine art and a postgraduate in conflict resolution); Nankabirwa says, her appointment to the energy ministry did not catch her off guard, because such is President Museveni's appointment style. He had previously appointed her Minister in Charge of Veterans, and later Junior Minister of Defense, despite having never served in the army. “So, when I was appointed to this highly technical ministry my feeling was that I would perform because I had experience working in dockets I had no training in,” she said.
Trust:
Along the way, Minister Nankabirwa learnt to put trust in the technical people at the ministry. “I learnt to accept them as my teachers and I only did one thing of reading their reports. I read the reports so much that I am even able to challenge them when some figures do not add up.”
Humility:
Hon Nankabirwa advises fellow women in similar positions as hers not to try to show off. “Don't be bossy when you don't even understand anything. You are not an engineer. You must remember that you are the one who will have to present the policies in the cabinet, defend them in parliament and offer all the answers. You have to accept that you cannot work alone and you can’t ignore the input of the technical people.”
Good learner:
The Minister also credits her success to her ability to assimilate and absorb a lot of information quickly. She describes herself as a “good student” who, over the last three years is even able to speak like an engineer.
Going out to the field:
Minister Nankabirwa is not the kind that sits in office. She loves to inspect and check on all ongoing work on the ground. “I don't only stop at reading the reports; I will find time to go on the ground and talk to the people who are in the machines, at the dams and see for myself,” she says.
To the women who want to join and excel in technical fields such as oil and gas, the minister advises them to endlessly seek knowledge, be confident and have passion for work.