Background
Mutesi was raised in a society, where a significant portion of the female population is unjustly deprived of a high-quality education. Young girls in these communities, as well as in numerous other locations worldwide, are unfortunately still viewed merely as instruments for marriage rather than as individuals entitled to the same opportunities and privileges as their male counterparts.
Impact: As a Chief Executive Officer, Mutesi has dedicated herself to improving the lives of young girls, often found prominently on the front page advocating passionately for justice on behalf of the younger generation in rural areas of Eastern, Central, and Western Uganda. This significant accomplishment has been made possible through her extensive leadership experience in various roles, including her tenure as CEO of the Hamasisha Foundation, her representation of the Global Student Forum on the Education Cannot Wait High Level Steering Group, and her past role as the 33rd Vice President of the United Nations Student Association. In her capacity as an Advocate Journalist, she has actively participated in numerous national, regional, and global discussions centered around advocating for human rights, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by young girls. Her efforts have positively influenced many young people in their pursuit of a high-quality education.
Achievements: Mutesi Hadijah has consistently demonstrated her commitment to advocating for students, youth, women, and refugees in Uganda. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, Mutesi utilizes her skills in Advocate Journalism to promote and empower girls facing early marriages, advocate for refugee rights, and mobilize support for affected communities.
Through impactful initiatives on television, Mutesi has played a crucial role in shedding light on the obstacles encountered by refugees in Uganda, using the news media as a tool to champion for their education and integration. Despite encountering significant obstacles in her ongoing efforts to advocate for girls’ education, Mutesi remains steadfast in her fight for the rights of girls and women through her involvement in the Gender Advocacy Working Group at the All-Africa Students Union (AASU).
Hadijah has excelled in bringing the plight of students to the global stage by representing global students and youth as part of the Education Cannot Wait High-Level Steering Group. Guided by principles of empowerment, social justice, and decisive action, she sets a precedent through her own actions to foster a more equitable world where everyone can prosper.
Much like any other empowered woman, Mutesi is leveraging the Inspire Uganda program under the auspices of the Hamasisha Foundation to raise awareness about the invaluable importance of girls’ education and to serve as a vocal advocate against early and forced marriages.
Quote: Opportunities for high-quality education that facilitate transformative change among youth are boundless, serving to highlight the ever-evolving nature of life. Mutesi emphasizes, “I am fully dedicated to ensuring equal access to enhanced education, improved health, and the holistic growth of the youth on a national, regional, and global scale.”
Her life’s purpose revolves around enriching the world by uplifting others, a principle that underpins the robust foundation of the Hamasisha Foundation. She firmly believes that education is a right, not a privilege, when it comes to instigating societal change.