Doreen Gift Bujjingo, an ICT Infrastructure Engineer at Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and daughter of pastor Aloysius Bujjingo , has been selected as a 2025 Mandela Washington Fellow, a prestigious scholarship awarded through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
A graduate of Telecommunications Engineering from Makerere University, Doreen is recognized for her pivotal contributions to Uganda’s digital transformation efforts.
Her work includes major national initiatives such as the Digital Transformation Roadmap, the National Data Strategy, and the Parish Development Management Information System all aimed at harnessing ICT and data-driven solutions to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Doreen will join the Public Management track at Arizona State University’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. There, she will be part of a cohort of 25 emerging African leaders learning advanced leadership, public policy, and governance skills to address critical challenges in their home countries.
In her role at the Ministry, Doreen focuses on expanding equitable and affordable access to ICT infrastructure and broadband services across Uganda, helping bridge the digital divide and improve public service delivery through technology.
She also serves as an SDG Coordinator at Makerere University, advocating for the use of digital tools to address socio-economic issues and promote education. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, she remains deeply committed to leveraging her technical expertise for community upliftment a passion rooted in her humble beginnings.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship, launched in 2014, is YALI’s flagship program. It supports outstanding leaders aged 25–35 from Sub-Saharan Africa through academic training, leadership development, and professional networking at top U.S. universities. Fellows return home equipped to drive impactful change in government, civil society, and the private sector.
Since its inception, the Fellowship has supported nearly 5,800 young African leaders, including dozens from Uganda. Past Ugandan fellows, such as STEM advocate Barbara Birungi Mutabazi and culture officer Adam Nyende, have gone on to make significant contributions in their fields.
Upon completion of the Fellowship, Doreen plans to apply her enhanced leadership skills to advance Uganda’s Digital Uganda Vision a national strategy that unifies ICT policy for inclusive, sustainable development.
Her selection marks not just personal achievement, but a testament to Uganda’s growing role in shaping Africa’s digital future.
