Closing the Gender Gap in Computer Science Education

The technology sector has long struggled with gender diversity. In Uganda and across Africa, we need intentional efforts to bring more women into tech — not as an afterthought, but as a strategic priority.

The Numbers

Globally, women hold only 25% of computing jobs. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the number is even lower. At Kampala International University, where I studied, the computer science cohort was overwhelmingly male. The few women who enrolled often faced subtle and not-so-subtle discouragement.

Root Causes

The gap starts long before university:

• Early socialisation. Girls are often steered away from STEM subjects in secondary school.
• Lack of role models. When young women cannot see themselves in technology, they are less likely to pursue it.
• Hostile environments. Even when women enter tech, workplace cultures can push them out.

What Works

Through my work with the African Youth Congress, I have seen what changes the equation:

"When you put a laptop in front of a 14-year-old girl and show her she can build something real — the spark is immediate. The problem was never ability. It was access."

Mentorship programmes, coding bootcamps designed for women, and visible female tech leaders all make a measurable difference. But the most important thing is starting early — normalising technology for girls before society tells them it is not for them.

The future of African tech depends on unlocking the full talent pool. That means everyone.