Surveyors promote science pathways during Gulu, Nwoya career outreach

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Surveyors in Uganda, under their umbrella body, the Institute of Surveyors Uganda (ISU), have advised students to take science subjects if they aspire to become surveyors.

This call was made during career guidance sessions conducted in six secondary schools in Gulu and Nwoya districts as part of activities to mark the 10th Global Surveyors’ Day and the 35th ISU Annual General Meeting in Gulu city.

The schools visited include Gulu Secondary School, Gulu College, Gulu Army Secondary School and Saint Joseph’s College Layibi in Gulu, as well as Pope Paul VI Secondary School and Standard High School in Nwoya district.

(Credit: Jackson Kitara)

As part of the pre-AGM activities in Gulu, the surveyors also visited Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Aruu Falls, held a campfire at Aruu Falls, and are expected to hold exhibitions, a medical camp, a land and construction awareness clinic, and a friendly football match, among other activities, on Thursday and Friday in Gulu.

Sacred Heart SS students. (Credit: Jackson Kitara)

While speaking after the career guidance session at Sacred Heart SS on March 17, 2026, Jordan Akandwanaho, a land surveyor, said the initiative was aimed at sensitising the younger generation to take up the profession, especially those pursuing science subjects.

He noted that many people do not understand the work of surveyors, citing widespread misinformation about the profession across the country.

Jacqueline Lamunu, a land valuer and surveyor at the Ministry of Works and Transport and an old girl of Sacred Heart SS, said it is important to guide the girl child, as many believe professions such as land surveying and measurement are only suited for men.

“It is very important to guide a girl child into what she wants to be in future. She needs a direction, so if we give them direction and advise them how they should put more effort in education, it will help them to choose which subjects to put more effort in so that they become what they want to be in future”, she said

Lamunu said that female surveyors and old girls of Sacred Heart SS returned to the school to demonstrate that they studied there, pursued similar subjects, and are now succeeding in their careers, in order to inspire confidence among the students.

She explained that during their time in school, they lacked career guidance, and many studied without knowing what they would pursue in future.

Cissy Stella Akao, a quantity surveyor in Gulu city and an old girl of Sacred Heart SS, said the career guidance aimed to encourage students to put more effort into their education by sharing real-life experiences of success.

“The career guidance is to explain what we do to students to understand, and those who admire us can put much effort and achieve”, she remarked.

However, Esther Semira, a staff member of Crest Tank Uganda Limited, advised young girls not to fear taking arts subjects or view them as inferior.

She said students who may not excel in sciences can pursue arts and still become professionals, such as lawyers and communication officers, and work alongside scientists.

“Make sure you put your efforts in education, close your legs, stay at school and finish your education so that you make your parents happy. Avoid living a reckless life that will make you get pregnant and drop out of school”, Semira advised young girls.

Milly Prudent Adoch, a Senior Four student at Sacred Heart SS, said the career guidance had encouraged her to put more effort into mathematics, a subject she previously feared.

“I will do a lot of practice on mathematics, consult teachers and will be close to my colleagues who are good in math”, she added.