Barbara Birungi

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Barbara Birungi Mutabazi
Barbara Mutabazi.jpg
Birungi in 2024
Born (1986-08-07) August 7, 1986 (age 38)
Nationality Ugandan
Education
OccupationTechnologist

Barbara (Birungi) Mutabazi (born 7 August 1986) is a Ugandan technologist, entrepreneur, and mentor. She is a co-founder and founding manager of HiveColab in Kampala, Uganda. [1] She is the founder of Women in Technology Uganda, an initiative aimed at helping women and girls pursue technology careers. [2] Prior to Hive Colab, Mutabazi was a member of staff at the African technology firm Appfrica. [3]

Contents

Early Life and Education

Barbara Birungi Mutabazi was born in Uganda. She pursued a degree in Information Technology at Makerere University. In 2024, she graduated from the MIT Sloan School of Management with an SFMBA degree, where she focused on management technology and received the prestigious Sloan Fellows Global Scholars Fund Fellowship. [4]

Women In Technology Uganda

Mutabazi founded Women In Technology Uganda (WITU) to address the gender gap in technology and entrepreneurship. Under her leadership, WITU has empowered over 20,000 women and girls through digital skills training, STEM education, and job placement opportunities. WITU has partnered with organizations such as the Cherie Blair Foundation and Uganda Communications Commission to expand its impact. In 2015, WITU won the **Project Inspire Grand Prize** for its efforts in empowering women economically. [5] [6]

Hive Colab

Hive Colab, co-founded by Mutabazi, is Uganda's first innovation and technology hub. The hub has incubated over 1,100 startups and supported entrepreneurs through mentorship, training, and access to resources. It has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant technology ecosystem in East Africa. [7]

United Nations Engagements

Mutabazi has been a prominent speaker at the United Nations, addressing global audiences on technology, gender equality, and entrepreneurship. At the age of 26, she was invited to speak at the UN, where she highlighted the importance of empowering women in technology and fostering innovation in underserved communities. Her engagements have focused on leveraging technology to reduce poverty and advance gender equality. [8]

Major Initiatives

Mutabazi has led several initiatives aimed at promoting technology and entrepreneurship, including: - **The Nile Explorer**: Uganda's first mobile learning bus, a classroom on wheels developed in partnership with the U.S. State Department. [9] - **Digital & Financial Literacy Toolkit**: Developed with UNCDF and adopted by the Bank of Uganda, this toolkit enhances financial inclusion for marginalized communities. [10]

Recognition and Awards

Mutabazi has received numerous accolades for her work, including: - **Anita Borg Institute Change Agent Award** (2014) for advancing women in technology. [11] - **MIT Legatum Fellowship**, supporting impactful entrepreneurship in emerging markets. [12]

Memberships and Advisory Roles

Mutabazi serves as: - Steering Committee Chairperson for the National Innovation and Incubation Support Program in Uganda. [13] - Mentor in the AnitaB.org Mentorship Program. [14]

Personal Life

Mutabazi splits her time between Kampala, Uganda, and Belmont, Massachusetts. She is a mother of two and is dedicated to advancing technology for social good. [15]

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References

  1. ↑ "FEATURE: The week in startups". Archived from the original on 2013-10-14.
  2. ↑ "Rise of the African Female Entrepreneur". Archived from the original on 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  3. ↑ "African Women Using Tech to Change Business". Archived from the original on 2013-10-14.
  4. ↑ "MIT Sloan Fellows Program" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  5. ↑ "Project Inspire Winners 2015" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  6. ↑ "WITU - Women In Technology Uganda" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  7. ↑ "Hive Colab" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  8. ↑ "Barbara Mutabazi speaks at UN" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Launches Mobile Library to Support Education in Uganda" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  10. ↑ "A Financial Digital Literacy Toolkit" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  11. ↑ "Announcing the 2014 GHC ABIE Award Winners" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  12. ↑ "Legatum Fellowship" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  13. ↑ "National Innovation and Incubation Program" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  14. ↑ "AnitaB.org Mentorship Program" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  15. ↑ "About Me – Barbara Birungi Mutabazi" . Retrieved 2024-12-23.
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