Winnie Byanyima

20th and 21st-century Ugandan aeronautical engineer, politician and diplomat

Winifred Byanyima (born 13 January 1959), is an aeronautical engineer, politician, diplomat and the current executive director of UNAIDS, effective November 2019.[1]

Winnie Byanyima
Byanyima in 2015
Born (1959-01-13) 13 January 1959 (age 65)
Mbarara, Uganda
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUganda
Alma materUniversity of Manchester
(Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering)
Cranfield University
(Master of Science in mechanical engineering)
Occupation(s)Engineer, politician, and diplomat
Years active1981 – present
Political partyForum for Democratic Change (since 2004)
National Resistance Movement (until 2000)
SpouseKizza Besigye

Early life and education

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Byanyima was born and raised in Mbarara District in the Western Region of Uganda. Winnie Byanyima went to Mount Saint Mary's College Namagunga in Mukono District. She holds bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Manchester. She later obtained a master's degree in mechanical engineering, specializing in energy conservation from Cranfield University.[2]

Career

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Byanyima was a trained aeronautical engineer. She began her career as a flight engineer for Uganda Airlines. She later left her job and joined the armed rebellion with Yoweri Museveni. Museveni and Byanyima had been raised together at the Byanyima household as children, with the Byanyima family paying for all Museveni's education and scholastic needs.

References

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  1. "Besigye joins wife Winnie as she takes charge at UNAIDS". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 2021-06-22.[permanent dead link]
  2. https://www.oxfam.org/en/winnie-byanyima-oxfam-international-executive-director