Top 40 under 40: Innocent Nabaasa Kashobera 31, social work

TOP 40 UNDER 40 

Innocent Nabaasa is a gogetter, who is never afraid of switching careers. Starting off as a journalist, she switched to reproductive health, politics and tourism.

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old pays keen attention to matters concerning women empowerment, sexual reproductive awareness, gender equality, tourism and all-inclusive leadership.

"I strive to see young women stand up boldly to defend their rights," she says.

In 2018, she co-founded Fabs, a non-governmental organisation that advocates reproductive health rights of women and youth, climate change and water and sanitation in Uganda.

"I founded the Uganda Vegan Festival and co-founded Ekkula Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards," she says.

The vegan festival is an annual event that is intended to reduce the consumption of animals and animal products, while advocating for healthy eating to check the spread of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Ekkula Awards is organised in conjunction with the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Talent Africa and the tourism ministry.

The awards aim to promote tourism and recognise the promoters of this sector. Nabaasa is also an entrepreneur.

She is the proprietor of Kethens Castor Oil and patron of the Rukungiri Pamoja Association, which brings together youth entrepreneurs.

"Kethens is uplifting rural women from poverty. I support them with start-up capital and equip them with skills of making the body oil," she says.

Education background

Nabaasa studied at Rukungiri Universal Primary School, Immaculate Heart Nyakibale for O'level and Valley College Bushenyi for A'level, where she was a head-girl.

She then joined Mbarara University of Science and Technology for a bachelor's degree in development studies.

"I also have a certificate in journalism from the Uganda Women in Media Foundation and a certificate in climate change from the United Nations," she says.

Career ladder

After school, Nabaasa started off her 10-year journalism career at Radio West and TV West.

She also worked with Vision Radio, UBC TV, WBS TV and NBS TV. She later started her own initiatives.

What makes her tick?

"I believe in myself. Many people say I am over ambitious, but I believe there is no harm in putting my eyes on the prize," she affirms.

"Being an advocate for the rights of women and youth has attracted people to me. They ask me to groom them and help them to be bold," she adds.

Inspiration

Nabaasa is inspired by Winnie Byanyima. Therefore, if she is granted 20 minutes to meet anyone in the world, it would be Byanyima.

But if she is asked to come back to life as someone else, she would choose to be herself.

A sneak peek into the future

"I strive to be a globally recognised activist for rights of women and young people," Nabaasa says.

"I have represented women and young people on a global platform in countries like Portugal, Zambia, Kenya and US, but my desire is to ensure my work is more pronounced and recognised globally."