Ms Innocent Acheng Nkuyahaga’s journey into the construction industry was not driven by a deep aspiration for the field itself, but by her natural aptitude for sciences and her determination to build a meaningful career.

A mother of three, a wife, a professional engineer and development manager, Ms Innocent Acheng Nkuyahaga is a key figure behind the development of Pearl Marina Villas in Garuga on the shores of Lake Victoria.

At the company, she is responsible for the design and construction at sites. She also leads the project teams which include the architects, costs managers, engineers and project managers.
Her journey into the construction industry was not driven by a deep aspiration for the field itself, but by her natural aptitude for sciences and her determination to build a meaningful career.
“I never specifically aspired to enter construction. It was more about excelling in sciences at school and choosing a career path based on my strengths,” she reflects. After excelling at O-Level, she was torn between two academic paths – PCB which would lead to a career in medicine, and PCM/Art, which would lead to a career in engineering. The latter was what she was interested in.

Early childhood and Education
Nkuyahaga was born in Lira and at only the age of two, her father was abducted during the brutal Idi Amin era, leaving her mother, Marie Kebita who was a banker, to raise her and her five siblings.
Despite the challenges of growing up in a single-parent household, she learned the values of faith, integrity, and investing in one’s self from her mother.
Her education took her across various parts of Uganda. She spent her early years in Kumi District, where her mother worked for Uganda Commercial Bank, and later attended Fairway Primary School and then St. Mary’s College, Namagunga. She was ranked the fourth-best candidate in the 1991 O-Level exams. She went on to graduate from Makerere University with a degree in civil engineering and was honored by the Uganda Association of University Women for being the best female graduate in the Faculty of Technology in 1999.

After obtaining her degree, she pursued a master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering at the University of Dar-es-Salaam. Upon returning to Uganda in 2001, she began her career with Oxfam GB, working as a project engineer in Lira amidst the turmoil of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebel war.
Despite the heightened risks of abduction by rebels, she remained dedicated to her work.
In 2001, Ms Nkuyahaga moved to the Directorate of Water Development in the Ministry of Water and Environment. There, she played an instrumental role in constructing water supply systems for small towns, improving access to clean water for thousands of Ugandans. Despite the significance of her contributions, her salary was only Shs350,000.

“Between 2001 and 2007, I played a pivotal role in the construction of water supply systems for 10 small towns, including Nansana, Wakiso, Kakiri, Masaka, Kinoni, and Lukaya, among others. These projects were instrumental in improving access to clean water for thousands of people,” she shares.
Driven by the need for better opportunities, Nkuyahaga joined the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) in 2007, where she would eventually rise to the position of project team leader. Her exposure to large-scale projects at NSSF was invaluable, although she found the bureaucratic processes to be frustratingly slow.
“At NSSF, I participated in first phase of Pension Tower. I was also the team lead for the design of Lubowa, where the estates are now and now they are constructing. The best thing with engineering is that the work is visible,” she says.

Journey to Pearl Marina
In 2015, a significant opportunity was advertised in an East African newspaper which a friend shared with her and asked her to try her luck with. Nkuyahaga explains that moving into the private sector was a pivotal moment in her career, offering her the flexibility and efficiency she craved, which was often lacking in government-led projects.
“When I first joined Pearl Marina, the site was just an expanse of open green field with no structure at all and I came to commence construction,” she recalls. As one of the first employees on the project, Nkuyahaga worked alongside Kenyan consultants who were brought in to design the development.

“The early stages involved heavy planning and coordination with Kenyan consultants. At that point, the local team was minimal. However, as we moved into the next phase, we prioritised local expertise, bringing in Ugandan consultants to take over. Today, all our contractors are based here, reinforcing our commitment to building local capacity and expertise’’ she explains.
Pearl Marina’s growth mirrored her own professional evolution. She transitioned from an engineering role to project lead, overseeing the development of the villas and ensuring that the project was executed according to the required standards and timelines.

Mentorship and growth
Eng Nkuyahaga attributes much of her leadership abilities to experiences from an early age. Whether as a class prefect or a student leader at St. Mary’s College Namagunga, she was always drawn to leadership roles. This natural inclination was nurtured through mentorship and guidance from influential leaders, particularly during her time at the Directorate of Water Development.
Reflecting on the early days of her career, Nkuyahaga acknowledges the immense impact that strong mentorship and leadership had on her professional journey.
‘‘I consider myself incredibly fortunate, particularly in my first job in the water sector. At the Directorate of Water Development, I had the privilege of working under Eng John Twinomujuni, a leader whose mentorship and guidance shaped not only my technical skills but also my confidence as an engineer. He was more than just a boss — he was a mentor who took the time to nurture and develop the potential of those working under him’’ she shares.
She adds, ‘‘ He didn’t just assign tasks; he trusted us to execute them effectively. He made us feel capable and competent, constantly reminding us that we were more than equipped to handle the work. I remember him saying, ‘This is the direction you should take. If I’m not there, take charge.’
Those words stayed with me throughout my career, reinforcing the importance of self-belief and accountability.’’

She emphasises that mentorship is often an overlooked yet crucial factor in professional success, which is why she actively mentors young women at Pearl Marina encouraging more women to join the field."Many people underestimate the impact a good mentor can have. But for me, mentorship was pivotal — it gave me the courage to step into leadership roles and take on greater challenges.
A strong mentor not only provides guidance but also instills confidence, shaping the way you approach your career,” she shares.

Challenges women face in construction industry
Being a woman in construction means confronting the notion that this field is exclusively for men.
When a woman enters a construction site, she is often seen as an outsider, she explains.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Nkuyahaga says that women in construction can also experience feelings of isolation.

‘‘When there are more women in a workplace, there is a natural sense of support and encouragement’’, she shares. ‘‘But since we are still few in number, that support is often limited.’’
Other challenges she says include women having to balance their caregiving roles at home yet also meet strict work deadlines at work as construction projects operate on fixed timelines, which makes it difficult for women to take leave without the risk of being replaced.
Her advice to women is that they can thrive in the industry with the right mindset.
‘‘To establish yourself in a male-dominated field, confidence is crucial’’, she advises. ‘‘You can have skills and knowledge, but without confidence, you won’t use them effectively’’, she emphasises. She admits too, that women should advocate for better working conditions, including proper facilities, maternity leave considerations, and overall inclusivity.

On balancing family
While Ms Nkuyahaga acknowledges the struggles that come with balancing a high-powered career with family responsibilities, she is grateful for the support of her husband, who helps manage domestic duties when she is unavailable. She encourages women to create systems and support networks to navigate the dual responsibilities of work and home life.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE…
Mr Habit that you want to drop Being a perfectionist, it has two sides both positive and negative, you don’t necessarily move forward, it takes a lot of your time.
If you could switch life, which celebrity would you be?
None, because I cannot step in their shoes, we just see the front but not behind the scenes.
One application on your phone that takes your time YouTube and Whatsapp, those ones really take my time.
Favourite sport Now it is exercise but when I was at school football and netball.