PinkCode Uganda, a female-founded non-profit organization dedicated to creating an inclusive and empowering technology space is on a mission to address the skills gap in the digital domain with a gender-wise approach, ensuring equal access to technology and its opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender or socio-economic background.
We got to have a chat with the organization’s Executive Director and Co-founder, Caroline Mirema Mbabazi, to fully understand PinkCode Uganda.
What inspired you to start PinkCode Uganda, and how has the journey been so far?
The inspiration behind the formation of PinkCode Uganda came when my co-founders Cleopatra Kanyunyuzi and Dorothy Kabarozi facilitated two Women in Fintech hackathons. During these events, they noticed a recurring pattern—many of the participating teams, primarily young women relied heavily on their male counterparts for the software development aspects of their solutions. The girls often shied away from core technical tasks such as coding.
Seeing this gap, Cleopatra and Dorothy were driven to take action. They envisioned an initiative that would equip young women in software engineering with the skills and confidence to take full ownership of their technical contributions. Their goal was to empower these girls to actively participate in the software development process and build solutions independently and compete on an equal footing with their male peers.

When Cleopatra shared their vision for PinkCode Uganda, I immediately saw the immense potential and impact it could have. At the time, I had just completed my tenure with one of the leading software engineering companies in the country, where I had gained valuable experience in both software engineering and project management. I knew that the digital divide, especially for women and marginalized groups, was a real challenge that had to be addressed.
Co-founding PinkCode Uganda was an easy decision for me because I believed in the mission—to empower women and underrepresented communities with the skills and opportunities to thrive in the digital space. As Executive Director, my role is to help drive this vision forward, ensuring that we create a real, lasting impact in the communities we serve.
It’s about more than just teaching digital skills; it’s about opening doors, building confidence, and creating a future where everyone, regardless of their background, has a place in the tech world.
Over time, PinkCode Uganda has expanded beyond supporting female software engineers. The initiative now also focuses on empowering women, children, and other marginalized groups, addressing the country’s significant digital divide. By providing opportunities, education, and resources, PinkCode Uganda is working to bridge this gap and create a more inclusive and technologically empowered society.
Can you elaborate on the specific challenges women face in Uganda’s digital and tech space?
Women in Uganda’s digital and tech space face several challenges that hinder their full participation and growth in the industry. These challenges can be categorized into structural, cultural, economic, and educational barriers.
1. Gender stereotypes and cultural norms
- Many Ugandan communities still perceive technology and engineering as male-dominated fields.
- Women are often discouraged from pursuing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) from an early age.
- There is a societal expectation that women should prioritize traditional roles over tech careers.
2. Limited access to digital skills training
- Many young women do not have access to quality education and technical training in digital and software development skills.
- Schools and universities often have fewer female students enrolling in tech-related courses due to a lack of encouragement and role models.
- Women in rural areas have fewer opportunities to learn digital skills due to poor internet access, limited infrastructure, and economic barriers.
3. Lack of female role models and mentorship
- There are few visible female leaders in Uganda’s tech industry, making it difficult for young women to find inspiration and guidance.
- Many women entering tech careers struggle to find mentors who can help them navigate challenges and grow professionally.
4. Workplace discrimination and bias
- Women in tech often face discrimination in hiring and promotions.
- Many female engineers report being underestimated in the workplace, with their skills being questioned more than their male counterparts.
- Women are sometimes assigned non-technical roles (such as project coordination) rather than core software development roles.
5. Gender pay gap
- Women in Uganda’s tech industry generally earn less than their male counterparts, even when they have similar skills and experience.
6. Online harassment and cybersecurity risks
- Women in digital spaces are more likely to face cyberbullying, harassment, and threats, discouraging them from fully participating in online communities or sharing their work publicly.
- There is also a higher risk of digital exploitation, especially for young girls.
7. Financial barriers and funding challenges
- Women entrepreneurs in tech startups struggle to secure funding compared to men.
- Investors often favor male-led startups, making it difficult for women to access capital for innovation and growth.
8. Balancing career and family expectations
- Many women face the challenge of balancing their professional ambitions with family responsibilities.
- The lack of flexible work policies in many companies makes it difficult for women to grow in tech careers while managing household duties.
How does PinkCode Uganda’s gender-focused approach differentiate it from other digital skills programs?
PinkCode Uganda’s gender-focused approach sets it apart from other digital skills programs by specifically addressing the unique barriers that women and girls face in technology. While many digital training programs offer general tech education, PinkCode Uganda goes a step further by creating an inclusive, safe, and empowering environment tailored to the needs of women, children, and marginalized groups. Here’s how PinkCode Uganda stands out:
1. Gender-wise digital skilling
- Unlike traditional tech programs that assume equal starting points for all learners, PinkCode Uganda acknowledges the existing gender gap and tailors its training to actively uplift and equip women and girls with the skills they need to thrive.
- The programs emphasize practical, hands-on learning while integrating gender-sensitive teaching methodologies to boost confidence and active participation.
2. Holistic support beyond technical skills
- PinkCode Uganda doesn’t just focus on coding; it also provides soft skills training, career development support, and entrepreneurial skills to help women build their startups.
3. Cyber guardians initiative: addressing online safety for children
- While many digital skills programs focus only on technical training, we also prioritize online safety, recognizing that children are disproportionately affected by cyber threats, cyberbullying, and online exploitation.
- The Cyber Guardians project helps young children develop digital literacy, responsible internet usage, and self-protection strategies in online spaces.
4. Long-term commitment to women’s growth through community ownership
We foster a sense of community ownership by actively involving local leaders, community-based organizations, mentors, and industry champions in the growth and development of its programs. Through the identification of champions in the different communities, we ensure the continuation of our programs to create a sustainable impact.
What are some of the programs or initiatives PinkCode Uganda currently runs, and how do they align with your mission?
- Digital skills training
We offer comprehensive training programs in coding, web development, data analysis, and digital marketing. These courses equip children and adults with the practical skills to excel in the digital economy. The training sessions are conducted in an inclusive and supportive environment, ensuring that everyone feels empowered to learn and grow.
- Cyber guardians project
This project addresses online safety for children aged 3 to 18, aiming to protect them from a myriad of online risks, such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. The project’s primary goal is to ensure a safer digital environment for children by promoting responsible screen time and internet usage.
We must safeguard the children’s innocence and physical well-being as they explore, learn, and interact online while upholding our society’s moral fiber.
The project is under implementation in primary and secondary schools and the impact of the project is evident with the increased knowledge of digital safety among the students and the testimonies of children making wiser safety decisions while using devices of different kinds.
- Women in Tech
PinkCode Uganda actively engages in advocacy efforts to promote gender equality in technology. By collaborating with policymakers, industry leaders, and educational institutions, we work to address systemic barriers and create a more inclusive tech ecosystem. We have initiatives that focus on getting young girls and women into STEM fields and advocate for equal pay and work-life balance for female engineers.
- Mentorship programs
PinkCode Uganda is committed to providing young people with the necessary tools and resources to thrive in their careers and foster growth, skill development, and confidence across various domains. To achieve this, we offer mentoring programs to different age groups including school-going children, young adults, and adults. The mentoring programs are conducted through structured guidance, hands-on learning experience, and peer collaborations.
We equip the less experienced software developers and computer and software engineers with the soft skills and modern software engineering approaches needed to succeed in the industry, and connect them with seasoned professionals. The goal is to help mentees enhance their technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and industry best practices.
- Underserved communities
To reach underserved communities, we conduct outreach programs in rural and marginalized areas. These initiatives focus on raising awareness about the importance of digital literacy and providing hands-on training to those who may not have access to traditional educational opportunities.
What strategies do you use to ensure inclusivity, especially for marginalized or underrepresented groups?
- Equitable representation: Our programs are designed to support a diverse group of participants, with a focus on ensuring that at least 70% of our participants are female as a way of ensuring fair representation in the overall Tech space.
- Focus on underprivileged communities: Community engagements are part of our delivery models and these create safe spaces for open discussions for the underprivileged communities. The use of local languages when communicating ensures full and equal representation of the community’s views. The use of community champions also ensures that the people embrace the programs.
- Advocacy and awareness: Continuously learning and addressing unconscious bias in communication, policies, and practices in the tech space. We advocate for policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Continuous education and feedback: Regular training and mentorship programs are conducted especially for marginalized groups, feedback is gathered and strategies are adjusted accordingly.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in promoting digital inclusion and empowerment?
Promoting digital inclusion and empowerment faces significant challenges, particularly in infrastructure and economic barriers. Many regions, especially rural areas, struggle with low internet penetration due to inadequate connectivity infrastructure and unreliable electricity, which limits the use of digital devices. Additionally, the high costs of smartphones, laptops, and data plans place digital access out of reach for low-income populations, exacerbating inequality. These economic and infrastructural gaps create a foundational barrier to participation in the digital world, particularly for marginalized communities.
Social and educational challenges further compound the issue. Low digital literacy remains widespread, with many individuals lacking basic skills to navigate online tools safely and effectively, necessitating expanded training programs. The gender digital divide also persists, as cultural norms, financial dependency, and lower literacy rates disproportionately restrict women’s access to technology. Furthermore, limited local content in indigenous languages and a reliance on English-centric platforms alienate non-English speakers, while schools often lack ICT resources and teachers trained in digital education, stifling early exposure to critical skills.
Systemic and regulatory obstacles add another layer of complexity. Cybersecurity threats, such as fraud and misinformation, erode trust in digital platforms, especially among users unaware of protective measures. Past policies, like social media taxes, have historically discouraged internet use, highlighting the need for more inclusive regulations to foster affordability and access. Meanwhile, high unemployment and economic instability push digital access lower on the priority list for households focused on basic needs, reducing incentives to invest in skills or technology. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires coordinated efforts across infrastructure development, education reform, and policy innovation to create an equitable digital ecosystem.
How do you see the role of the private sector and government in supporting your mission?
Well, telecom companies can expand internet access to underserved and rural areas through private investment and partnerships while on the other hand, technology companies should make low-cost devices and digital tools more accessible to marginalized communities. Other players in the tech space can provide training programs, certifications, and upskilling opportunities, often in partnership with educational institutions.
On the government’s side, there is a need for us to engage with national authorities such National Information Technology Authority of Uganda (NITA-U) to align its programs with national digital strategies, ensuring that initiatives complement government efforts in expanding digital literacy and inclusion.
A collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) will focus on promoting digital safety and awareness campaigns, particularly targeting young internet users and their guardians.
These partnerships are instrumental in amplifying our impact, enabling us to reach broader audiences and effectively promote digital inclusion and safety across the country.
What are your long-term goals for PinkCode Uganda, and how do you plan to achieve them?
PinkCode Uganda’s long-term goals focus on advancing digital inclusion, gender equity, and safe digital spaces while ensuring sustainability and regional impact. First, the organization aims to expand digital literacy and technology education across Uganda, prioritizing underserved communities. This involves establishing training centers in rural areas, developing mobile learning platforms, and integrating digital literacy into school curriculums through partnerships with educational institutions. A key target is ensuring 70% female participation in these programs to address gender disparities from the outset.
Second, PinkCode seeks to bridge the gender gap in tech by empowering women through initiatives like the expanded Women in Tech program, which offers mentorship, training, and job placement support. Collaborations with companies and advocacy for gender-inclusive STEM policies will complement efforts to create opportunities for women. Additionally, the Cyber Guardians Project will scale up to protect girls online, enhancing safety and confidence in digital spaces.

Third, the organization is committed to creating safer digital environments for children. Plans include advocating for stronger government policies on digital safety, developing school-focused online safety curricula, and establishing a national system for reporting online threats. These measures aim to protect young users while fostering awareness.
Fourth, financial sustainability is critical. PinkCode plans to secure funding through corporate sponsorships, government grants, social enterprises (e.g., paid coding boot camps), and crowdfunding campaigns. This diversified approach ensures long-term support for its programs.
Finally, PinkCode aims to amplify its impact through partnerships and regional expansion. Collaborations with tech companies, universities, and governments will drive training and policy advocacy. Internationally, the organization plans to establish chapters in East Africa, engage in global networks, and share success stories to inspire partnerships. Concurrently, fostering innovation via an entrepreneurship hub, mentorship, and hackathons will support Ugandan startups, spurring job creation and economic growth. Together, these strategies position PinkCode Uganda as a leader in digital inclusion and gender equity across Africa.