TheJourneyVolume1 - Book - Page 60
#NextGenUNDP
Betty Pamela Kabuleta Wabunoha
Coun tr y o f O r igin :
UNDP Co u n t r y O f f ic e :
Date o f Ap po in tm e n t :
UGA N DA
L E S OT HO
M AY 2 019
“I AM HONORED TO BE PART OF
THE #NextGenUNDP FAMILY
SUPPORTING NATIONS AND
CHANGING LIVES.”
I
grew up in Uganda, in what I would term an urban
middle-class, educated family environment. I was the
seventh child in a large homestead of twelve children.
Growing up in such a big family was so much fun and
I never failed to find a playmate. As a large family, we
looked out for each other, and this certainly taught me
teamwork, negotiation, learning from, and most importantly, listening to others.
Both my parents worked as civil servants. My father
was passionate about education especially that of the girl
child. I recall with fondness the evenings we spent with
him around the kitchen table juggling mental mathematics, the rewards for those that did well, and the many
family discussions on the importance of education.
Mathematics eventually drove my career aspirations, leading me to follow in my father’s footsteps as
an accountant. After getting my first job, I not only
took over the responsibility of my younger siblings, but
I also sought to educate myself further, starting with a
diploma in Commerce, and later, obtained a Fellowship
in Certified Chartered Accountants (FCCA) from the
University of Glasgow, in Scotland (UK). I also hold
a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from
Uganda’s Makerere University.
rendering both my parents unemployed, our home
was looted, and our family displaced. Today, when I
watch refugee families fleeing from war on television,
it resonates with me. I remember myself as a teenager,
walking for miles from what was a happy, safe middleclass home into a new world of uncertainty, escaping war
and terror.
It was during this time that I realized that I wanted to
dedicate my life towards working to improve the livelihoods and security of others.
Looking back, I am amazed at how the abrupt changes
of my life thrust me into maturity on the one hand by
making me a parent to my five younger siblings, while on
the other hand, saw me pursue my professional career
and life goals. Though tough, this experience helped me
to develop self-drive and resilience.
I remember taking my younger sister to a boarding
school where the headmistress looked at my youthful
face and said, “I cannot admit your sister if I am to rely on
you to pay the school fees.” Just like that my sister lost a
place in one of the best public schools in the country. This
experience taught me to never underestimate the youth
and to continue empowering the girl child to help them
achieve their full potential.
CHALLENGES, SELF-DRIVE AND RESILIENCE
But 1985 was very challenging and remains a landmark
year in my life. Uganda was ravaged by war, and the
sugar factory where my parents worked was destroyed,
THE JOURNEY INTO UNDP
My father’s work for the East African Community in
Tanzania, then Kenya, and later in Uganda, inspired my
desire to work for an international organization that helped
serve humanity. I first joined UNDP in 1996 as the Head
of Finance in its Kampala office. And the more I familiarized myself with UNDP’s mandate, the more passionate I
became about development work. I also recognized that
my FCCA and other qualifications would not be enough
to secure a lasting career in the organisation. I therefore,
went for further studies at the Heriot-Watt University of
Scotland, where I obtained a Master’s degree in Business
›
Administration, majoring in Management.
M Y FAVO U R I T E Q U OTAT I O N
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning..”
DAV I D T HE P SA L M I ST
60