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Doreen Gift Bujjingo has been named among Ugandans who will participate in this year's Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
"Introducing 2025 🇺🇬 Mandela Washington Fellow Doreen Gift Bujjingo (@DoreenGIFT1), an ICT infrastructure engineer at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance," the US Mission in Uganda posted on X on Tuesday, June 17.
"She is passionate about driving Uganda’s digital transformation through projects that expand broadband connectivity, promote digital skilling, and enhance e-service delivery. Under the 🇺🇸 @WashFellowship, Doreen is headed to Arizona State University (@ASU) on the 'Leadership in Public Management' track. #YALI2025"
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Responding to the post, Doreen said: "I can't thank you enough for the opportunity. I look forward to better serving my country following the skills from the fellowship."
Doreen Gift Bujjingo holds a Master of Science in Telecommunications Engineering from Makerere University, which she obtained in 2023.
Gift, who completed her 'A' levels at Kings College Budo, did her undergraduate studies in the same program at the same university.
Her first work experience was with NTV Uganda, where she did her internship. NTV Uganda had promised to retain her, but after completing her exams, ZTE – the Chinese telecommunications firm that operates masts for MTN Uganda and Airtel – offered her a job. She later got a job at Eaton Towers Limited after leaving ZTE during maternity leave.
She worked at Salt Media from January 17 to February 2019.
She now works at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance as an ICT infrastructure engineer.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship programme of the U.S. Government's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
Established in 2014, the Fellowship has brought nearly 7,200 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training.
Other Ugandans in this year's fellowship include Moses Echodu, a passionate cancer awareness advocate and cancer survivor. He works with the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping the National Cancer Control Plan with a strong focus on patient-centred care.
There is also Jessica Sheillah Aanyu, a youth mentor and CEO of Miss Tourism TESO, a regional initiative empowering young people through leadership development, culture, and pageantry. She is also the co-founder of Trees for Life Uganda, a community-driven initiative promoting environmental stewardship in the Teso and Karamoja regions.