Uganda

After a life-altering injury, Augustine Kitonsa found healing, purpose, and hope at a center run by Sr. Regina Nakyeyune, GSS, an SLDI alumna using her training to support over 60 vulnerable individuals in Uganda.

After surviving heartbreaking loss and poverty, Angelina Akoth’s life was transformed through a business training program led by Sr. Veronica Biribawa, MCESM, an ASEC HESA alumna, using her education to uplift women in Uganda.

A pioneer graduate of ASEC’s SLDI program, Sr. Theresa Nambaziira, DM, uses her leadership training to mentor others, empower communities across Uganda, and even inspire a Member of Parliament.

At the 2025 Notre Dame Religious Liberty Summit in Dublin, Sr. Draru of ASEC shared a compelling message: true inclusion must embrace individual identity.

As we celebrate 25 years of ASEC’s transformative work, we honor the women religious who have spearheaded a movement to enhance educational access for women in Africa. Since its official inauguration in 1999, ASEC has expanded to 10 countries and empowered women religious through programs like SLDI, HESA, the Scholarship Program, Service Learning, and the Research Initiative. These initiatives have equipped countless Sisters with leadership and professional skills to address challenges in their communities effectively.

In Uganda, the Banyatereza Sisters are leading the way in sustainable agriculture through their Banyatereza Coffee initiative. With support from ASEC/SLDI and partnerships with the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, the Sisters are transforming 34 acres of land into a thriving coffee plantation. This innovative project not only generates income for the Institute but also fosters community collaboration, land conservation, and pastoral outreach.

Sr. Ustina Atwebembere, a Medical Mission Sister, shares how ASEC’s training in leadership, project management, and entrepreneurship has transformed her role as an administrator and community leader. Through skills gained in the program, she has secured grants for impactful projects, implemented sustainable initiatives, and empowered other women religious to take on leadership roles.

Sr. Namusisi Teddy DM shares how ASEC’s scholarships and mentorship programs have transformed her life, enabling her to pursue higher education and equip herself with the skills to make a meaningful impact in the education sector.

Sister Mary Florence Anaso, LSOSF reflects on her transformative journey with ASEC, celebrating 25 years of empowering women religious in Uganda. Through lessons in servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and agriculture, she has become a community leader dedicated to mentoring others and promoting sustainable development.

This Sister reflects on her transformative journey with ASEC, highlighting how the program equipped her with leadership, administrative, and technological skills. Her story exemplifies the power of education in fostering societal change, cultural awareness, and community development.

This Sister shares her transformative journey through ASEC’s Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI), highlighting key projects like clean water tanks, solar installations, and school renovations. Her story reflects the power of education in restoring human dignity and fostering sustainable community development.

As a pioneer of ASEC, this Sister reflects on 25 years of empowerment and growth through programs like SLDI and HESA. From overcoming challenges in online learning to managing impactful community projects, her journey showcases the transformative power of education and collaboration.

Through ASEC, Sisters across Africa gain the education and skills to lead transformative initiatives in their communities. One Sister shares how the program empowered her to challenge gender biases, build vital infrastructure, and mentor others, fostering growth and empowerment within her congregation and beyond.

As ASEC celebrates its Silver Jubilee, it highlights the transformative power of education in empowering Catholic Sisters to lead impactful community initiatives. From finance management to resource mobilization, Sisters are fostering economic growth, advocating for vulnerable children, and creating sustainable change.

Since its inception in 2006, ASEC has provided transformative education and training for Religious Sisters in Uganda and beyond. By fostering skills in administration, finance, and technology, ASEC has empowered Sisters to enhance their ministries and foster collaboration across congregations.

The ASEC program empowers Catholic Sisters in Africa with values-based education, enhancing their leadership, financial management, and project management skills. Inspired by lessons in Stewardship, Accountability, and Integrity, Sisters are initiating sustainable projects that create jobs and foster community development.

The Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) program equips Catholic Sisters in Africa with essential skills in administration, finance, technology, and leadership. Graduates emerge as confident leaders, ready to inspire and uplift their communities through innovative self-reliance projects and improved ministry services.

African Sisters: Leaders In Action (ASLA) investment in alumnae projects has allowed ASEC Alumnae Sr. Caroline Nanyi Acha, SST, Sr. Sophia Agnes Asiimwe, MSMMC, and Sr. Mathabo Jacintha Sefali, SCIM to make an impact in their communities.

Equipped with confidence, skills and a psychology degree, Sr. Swai is helping physically and mentally disabled children in Africa get the early intervention services they need.

Catholic sisters in Africa are using their education to dream up creative human development projects that help their local communities.

Catholic sisters in Africa are using crop and animal farming to sustainably support their local communities.

How Catholic nuns translate computer and tech skills into enhanced social services for Africa’s poor and vulnerable.

As head teacher, Sr. Betty is using her HESA program education to provide a stable yet constantly improving learning environment for kids in Uganda.

Sr. Faida noticed how difficult it was for her neighbors to obtain healthy food during lockdown. So, she and the sisters taught them how to plant vegetables using sacks and broken buckets on their veranda.

Catholic sisters have become a critical component of emergency response among local African communities in crisis.

Two Catholic nuns have used their education to advance the Boni Consilii school, providing previously unimagined opportunity to young girls in Uganda.

ASEC program participants are applying their education and skills to create and sustain jobs across Africa.

Sr. Judith received a grant to start the Capacitar Trauma Healing project in response to the effects of war crimes & cultural acceptance of sexual & gender-based violence (SGBV) in Northern Uganda.

4 Catholic sisters whose service work is helping to prevent and reduce sexual and gender-based violence in Africa.

African nuns are reaching major academic achievements while amplifying their influence on some of the biggest challenges facing African society.

The education Sr. Teopista gained through both SLDI and HESA help a bakery to thrive and provide nourishment to a Ugandan community.

Through education, Catholic sisters are becoming some of the top leaders bringing positive changes throughout Africa.

Catholic sisters are providing much needed health and wellness services throughout Africa.

Nursing Director and ASEC alumna Sr. Harriet is a driving force behind Nkozi Hospital’s mission and vision for the future.

Congregations of Catholic sisters in Africa are being strengthened from within through ASEC programs.

Sr. Mary Sarah strengthens the vitality of her congregation through leadership and governance training.

Catholic nuns from ASEC programs are using their educational training to support people with disabilities at facilities throughout Africa.

At Mapeera Bakateyamba Home in Uganda, Good Samaritan Sisters serve the elderly, poor, destitute, disabled and neglected people of God without discrimination.

Educated nuns in Africa are becoming mutigenerational change multipliers by providing support to the most senior members of their communities.

Nuns in Africa are using their education to become change agents and forces multipliers of good by leading and supporting young women.

Entrepreneurial Catholic sisters are building businesses across Africa to meet the needs of the poor and marginalized.

In Africa, severe food insecurity and undernourishment is on the rise. But, educated Nuns are changing that reality for the communities they serve.

Quality education, community support and strong leadership results in a thriving student body led by Srs. Monica and Imelda.

Across Africa, Catholic nuns are providing help and hope for orphaned children facing psychosocial distress, economic hardship, withdrawal from school, malnutrition and illness.

ASEC staff and partners visit several ASEC alumnae projects in Uganda to learn more about how ASEC programs are helping Sisters in their ministry work and service to the poor and marginalized:

African Sisters are practicing sustainable agriculture and farming to solve problems like malnutrition and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Catholic nuns in Africa receive quality education through ASEC, providing them with valuable nursing skills to improve healthcare in their communities.

Religious sisters across Africa are using their ASEC education to spearhead projects in support of Africa’s youth and future generation.

ASEC educates religious women who are renewing hope in Africa for poor and marginalized communities. Catholic Sisters provide hope in Africa many people living who are afraid to begin life anew due to disease, poverty and lack of resources.

Find out how Sr. Faustina Khaoya is using her ASEC-sponsored education to help revamp her congregation’s economy.