According to mainstream media, Uganda has made significant improvements in the economic and human rights spheres since the official end of conflict, including recently banning female circumcision. Today, Ugandan women exercise more and more political and economic power as activists, voters, professionals, mothers and in the many other roles they play. But experience has shown me that mainstream media cannot always capture the atmosphere of a country or the perspectives of its discriminated groups. What challenges and opportunities do women face? Are they generally hopeful about their prospects? How can women collaborate for change?

Addressing these questions will be part of my work with the Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL), a member of the the Africa Businesswomen’s Network developed in partnership with Vital Voices, and part of The Advocacy Project. I will not be doing ‘a development project’; I’ll conduct a baseline survey of UWEAL’s members, help the Association use social media to make its voice heard and assist in any other advocacy work UWEAL requires from now to September. As I prepare to leave (and there’s still much to do), I have no expectations and a completely open mind. Follow my journey and learn more about women doing business in Uganda on this blog, with photos on flickr, or send me an email at aallman@advocacynet.org.