Ruth Biyinzika says she will always celebrate mentors who believed in her and helped her grow, flourish and make an impact
Writes Brian Mugenyi
Mugenyijj@gmail.com
Kampala: Dr. Ruth Biyinzika Kasolo, a leading figure behind Uganda’s Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, has paid tribute to businessman Patrick Bitature, former Finance Minister Gerald Ssendaula and Mr. Katusiime, saying she will always celebrate them for the support, mentorship and inspiration they have given her throughout her journey.
Speaking to this writer on Friday, Dr. Kasolo said the contribution of people who believe in others before their success becomes visible can have a lasting impact on their lives.
She said her own journey has been shaped by men who did not only offer encouragement, but also believed that women have the ability to lead, create change and make a meaningful contribution to society.
“These great men have supported me along my way and I want to thank you, Mr. Patrick Bitature, Mr. Gerald Ssendaula. I thank you, Mr. Katusiime. You are wonderful men,” Dr. Kasolo said.
She said women need men who can recognise their abilities and support them to turn their potential into achievement.
“Women need men that can be able to believe that women can make a change and support them to grow and to flourish and be able to make an impact in the world,” she said.
Dr. Kasolo described such support as a form of mentorship that can give women the confidence to pursue opportunities and overcome barriers.
“You are wonderful men, and many women need such men to light them up, to grow and to flourish, to see the good side of it,” she said.
She added:
“These are the kinds of men women in the world need — such men to push them.”
‘I WILL ALWAYS CELEBRATE YOU’
For Dr. Kasolo, the appreciation is personal.
She said the support and inspiration she has received from her mentors continues to influence her work and outlook, making their contribution something she intends to recognise throughout her life.
“I will always celebrate you because of the great support and inspiration you give me every day,” Dr. Kasolo said.
She further acknowledged that her journey has been strengthened by people who consistently encouraged her to believe in what she could accomplish.
“I am what I am because of the great support and inspiration you gave me every day,” she said.
Her words place mentorship at the centre of the wider conversation about women’s empowerment.
Through the GROW Project, Dr. Kasolo has been associated with efforts aimed at helping women entrepreneurs overcome barriers to business growth through skills development, mentorship, access to finance, markets and business development support.
For her, however, programmes alone cannot transform lives unless people are also willing to invest in one another through encouragement, knowledge and opportunity.
WOMEN NEED MEN WHO BELIEVE
Dr. Kasolo said men have an important role to play in supporting women’s progress, not by taking over their journeys, but by creating space for women to demonstrate what they can achieve.
A woman given an opportunity can create opportunities for others.
A woman given skills can build an enterprise.
A woman given confidence can become a leader.
And a woman supported by a strong network can take her contribution beyond her immediate community.
Her appreciation of Bitature, Ssendaula and Katusiime therefore carries a wider message about the importance of positive mentorship in society.
She said the men who choose to support women should be recognised because their influence can extend far beyond the individual they mentor.
As she concluded her tribute, Dr. Kasolo wished her mentors many more years, saying their contribution would remain part of her story.
“I will always celebrate you because of the great support and inspiration you give me every day. I wish you many more years.”
