The event’s host Rachel Dumba (L) and Catherine Khabure toasting to the wins they have made. Photo/ Isaac
Ssejjombwe
Saturday was a day to celebrate some of the most powerful women in Uganda as The Blue Club hosted an exclusive evening to toast to women who have broken gender barriers and risen to the top in their careers and businesses.
The Johnnie Walker Blue Club has traditionally been perceived as a “big boys club”, but the event held at Kampala Serena Hotel was a deliberately women-only affair.
The evening was hosted by Uganda Breweries Ltd board member Rachel Dumba, who admitted in her speech that she, like many other women, loves her whisky.
“I was actually aspiring to be a whisky ambassador. I wished UBL would scout me to be an ambassador, but there was something bigger in store for me, as I made it to the board,” she said.
When she spoke about her lobbying work as a member of the board in a quest to have bars opened following the Covid-19 lockdown, she demonstrated why a female voice is important at the highest level of decision-making.
“We keep telling government that we are not just about alcohol. In terms of driving the government agenda, we are the third largest tax payer, we are changing lives of farmers, contributing to education, water, sanitation; the story is long.”
Dumba used the opportunity to make a sales pitch to guests, imploring them to purchase personalised engraved bottles of whisky for the special people in their lives.
Before toasting to Uganda’s leading women, UBL’s marketing director, Emmy Hashakimana, mentioned the importance of inclusiveness in their employment.
“The ones who keep walking are those that take bold steps, those who refuse to stand still and keep breaking boundaries. I’m pretty sure those who are here have broken barriers. This is to celebrate you. Keep walking,” he said.
There was a whisky mentorship session by Johnnie Walker brand ambassador Agaba Tumusiime, before the ladies wound down the evening with a karaoke session.
issejjombwe@ug.nationmedia.com