Know Your Rights, Own Your Confidence: KIU Rallies Female Students

By Hattie Wright

KIU, Main Campus - In collaboration with the 22nd Guild Government, Kampala International University (KIU), Maina Campus, on Thursday, September 17th, 2026, hosted a Girls' Talk aimed at empowering female students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive in university and beyond.

Held under the theme, “Her Voice, Her Power, Her Future: Empowering Young Women to Lead, Thrive and Make a Difference,” the engagement brought together university administrators, student leaders and guest speakers who shared insights on leadership, personal development, women's rights, academic excellence and responsible decision-making.

Addressing the students, Christine Ainebyoona, Campus Administrator and Deputy University Secretary (Main Campus), commended the participants for taking part in the discussion and encouraged them to embrace personal growth and positive transformation.

Quoting the Bible, Romans 12:2, she urged the students not to conform to negative influences but to renew their minds and make decisions that will positively shape their futures. She noted that the modern world is highly competitive and challenged the students to distinguish themselves through innovation, humility, discipline and strong character.

Ainebyoona further encouraged the students to evaluate the company they keep, maintain a positive personal image and fully utilise the opportunities available at KIU to develop their potential.

“Do self-examination on yourself and the friends you relate with. Represent yourself well and people will notice you and the achievements you have made,” she said.

She also reminded students that the university remains committed to their wellbeing and encouraged those facing personal, emotional or mental health challenges to seek support through the appropriate university support services.

Gracing the special event, Sheila Price, a TikTok content creator, encouraged students to prioritise their mental well-being by setting healthy boundaries in their relationships and family circles.

She noted that toxic environments can negatively affect mental health and, in some cases, lead to severe emotional distress. She urged students to value themselves, make independent decisions, and avoid placing undue pressure on themselves in an effort to please others.

Speaking on women's rights and responsibilities, Sandra Nowamani, University Legal Officer, urged female students to understand and assert their rights while remaining mindful of their responsibilities within the university community. She encouraged them to actively participate in leadership and confidently contest for positions at different levels.

“Women have been given equal rights as men and we can also contest for positions. The same rights have been embraced by the university, but the more we want to enforce our rights is the more we prove that we don't know them,” she said

She further advised students to recognise their worth, pursue financial independence and take deliberate steps towards their personal and professional development.

Grace Ampaire, Female Affairs Representative at the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA), challenged the students to build confidence by staying informed and speaking from a position of knowledge.

“We need to always make enough research and speak from an informed point of view so that we can boost our confidence,” she said.

She encouraged the participants to identify and nurture their talents, emphasising that setbacks should be viewed as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles to success.

Adding her voice to the discussion, Resty Akatuha, Guild Minister for Religious, Gender and Cultural Affairs at Kyambogo University, reminded students that academic excellence should remain their primary focus throughout their university journey. She advised them to strike a balance between leadership, extracurricular activities and their studies while adhering to university regulations and seeking guidance whenever challenges arise.

Akatuha also underscored the importance of self-leadership, noting that effective leaders must first demonstrate discipline, emotional intelligence, strong communication skills and responsible conduct.

The interactive session featured a question-and-answer segment during which students openly discussed challenges such as peer pressure, low self-esteem and the pressure to maintain expensive lifestyles. Participants also called for continued mentorship and support from the university whenever they face challenges requiring institutional intervention.

The Girls' Talk provided a valuable platform for meaningful dialogue, learning and mentorship, enabling female students to gain practical guidance on leadership, personal growth and responsible decision-making.

As KIU continues to promote holistic student development, the engagement reaffirmed the institution's commitment to empowering young women to become confident leaders, informed decision-makers and positive contributors to their communities and the nation at large.