Catherine Kitandwe
Catherine Kitandwe (born circa 1994), also Cathy Kitandwe, is a Ugandan commercial pilot and flight instructor, who graduated as a Flight Instructor at Vine Air Flight Academy (VAFA), in the city of Jinja, in Uganda's Eastern Region, in April 2022. As of April 2022, she was one of two living female flight instructors in Uganda and the third woman in the country's history to qualify as a flight instructor.[1][2]
Catherine Kitandwe | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1994 (age 27–28) |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Citizenship | Uganda |
| Alma mater | Undisclosed university Bachelor of Public Health Vine Air Flight Academy Commercial Pilot License Flight Instructor License |
| Occupation | Commercial pilot, flight instructor |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Known for | Professional competence |
| Title | Flight Instructor at Vine Air Flight Academy in Uganda |
Background and education
Ms Kitandwe is Ugandan by birth c. 1994.[2] She holds a Bachelor of Public Health degree from an undisclosed university, obtained in 2018. She is also the recipient of a Commercial Pilot License and a Flight Instructor License, both awarded by Vine Air Flight Academy, a private aviation school, in Jinja, Uganda. She graduated as a commercial pilot in 2021 and obtained fight instructor certification in April 2022.[1][2]
According to published reports, aviation was Ms Kitandwe's childhood dream. However, various factors led her to pursue a degree in Public Health first. In 2018, she graduated with a BPH degree. In 2020 she entered Vine Air Fight academy as a pilot trainee, on private sponsorship. She graduated as a commercial pilot in 2021. She went on to pursue training as a flight instructor, graduating in April 2022, from VAFA as well.[1][2]
Other considerations
As of April 2022, there are two living female pilot flight instructors in Uganda, one being Captain Esther Kyokunda, who graduated from VAFA earlier,[3] and the other being Captain Catherine Kitandwe. The first Ugandan woman to be certified as a flight instructor is reported to be the late Andy Rachel Itudria. That makes Catherine Kitandwe the third woman to qualify as a flight instructor in the history of the country.[1][2]
Catherine Kitandwe is a member of the Uganda Professional Pilots Association (UPPA), a professional association that promotes, safeguards and monitors the interests of pilots and flight engineers in the country.[1][2]
See also
References
- Mary Karugaba (6 April 2022). "Uganda gets second female flight instructor". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- Xinhua (19 April 2022). "Feature: Ugandan flight instructor inspires girls into male-dominated field". China.Org.cn. Beijing, China. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- Jonah Kirabo (31 July 2020). "Meet Esther Kyokunda, Uganda's first certified female flight instructor". Nile Post Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 20 April 2022.