Winnie Byanyima

**Winifred Byanyima** (dem born am 13 January 1959) be de executive director of UNAIDS (2019 to present). She be Ugandan aeronautical engineer, politician, human rights activist, feminist, den diplomat.

She previously be de executive director of Oxfam International (2013–19)**** den de director of de Gender Team for de *Bureau for Development Policy* insyd at de United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from 2006. 

## En background
Dem born Byanyima for Mbarara District insyd for de Western Region of Uganda insyd, a British protectorate at de time. Ein parents be de late Boniface Byanyima, one-time national chairman of de Democratic Party for Uganda insyd, den de late Gertrude Byanyima, a former schoolteacher wey die for November 2008 insyd. Winnie Byanyima go *Mount Saint Mary's College Namagunga* for de Mukono District insyd. She go top dey obtain a bachelor's degree for aeronautical engineering insyd from de University of Manchester, wey e becam de first female Ugandan to becam an aeronautical engineer. She later receive a master's degree for mechanical engineering insyd, wey e specialize for energy conservation insyd from Cranfield University. 

## Ein professional career
Following ein training as an aeronautical engineer, Byanyima work as a flight engineer give Uganda Airlines. Wen Yoweri Museveni, Ugandan Presidents since 1986, start de 1981–1986 Ugandan Bush War, Byanyima lef ein job den join de armed rebellion. Dem raise Museveni den Byanyima togeda at de Byanyima household as kiddies, plus de Byanyima family wey dey pay give all of Museveni ein education den scholastic needs.  

Museveni, Byanyima, den ein husband Kizza Besigye be combatants for de National Resistance Army (NRA) insyd during dat war. Both Byanyima den ein husband fall out plus President Museveni sekof ein repressive undemocratic rule despite ein earlier stated convictions.

After de NRA win dat war, Byanyima serve as Uganda ein ambassador to France from 1989 until 1994. She then return home den becam an active participant for Ugandan politics insyd. She serve as a member of de Constituent Assembly dat draft de 1995 Ugandan Constitution. She then serve two consecutive terms as a member of parliament, wey e represent Mbarara Municipality from 1994 until 2004. Dem then appoint am director of de Directorate of Women, Gender den Development at de headquarters of de African Union for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia insyd. She serve for dat capacity insyd until dem appoint director of de Gender Team for de *Bureau for Development Policy* insyd at UNDP for November 2006 insyd. 

### Executive Director of Oxfam, 2013–2019
For January 2013 insyd, dem announce Byanyima as de next executive director of Oxfam International, wey e replace Jeremy Hobbs. Byanyima begin ein five-year directorship at Oxfam for 1 May 2013 top. For December 2017 insyd, she announce acceptance of an offer from Oxfam ein Board of Supervisors to serve a second five-year term as Oxfam International ein Executive Director. 

For 2013 insyd, Byanyima be de keynote speaker at de Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) convention for Dallas, Texas insyd. 

For January 2015 insyd, Byanyima co-chair de World Economic Forum for Davos insyd. She use de forum to press give action to narrow de gap between rich den poor. De charity ein research dey claim dat de share of de world ein wealth wey de richest 1 percent of de world population own am increase to nearly 50 percent for 2014 insyd, whereas 99 percent share de oda half. Several economists dey strongly contest Oxfam ein figures.

For November 2016 insyd, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appoint Byanyima to de High-Level Panel for Access to Medicines top, wey Ruth Dreifuss co-chair am, former President of Switzerland, den Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana. 

### Executive Director of UNAIDS since 2019
Dem appoint Byanyima as de executive director of UNAIDS for August 2019 insyd, by de United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, wey e follow a comprehensive selection process dat involve a search committee wey members of de UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board constitute am. For ein new position she concurrently dey serve as a United Nations Under-Secretary-General.

In addition to ein role at UNAIDS, Byanyima sanso serve a two-year term as a member of de *World Bank Group’s* (WBG) Advisory Council for Gender den Development top. Since 2022, she be a member of de Commission give Universal Health convene by Chatham House den Helen Clark den Jakaya Kikwete co-chair am.

At de recent 2024 International AIDS Conference for Munich insyd, she urge Gilead Sciences to allow Lenacapavir be generically license to de UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) so dat cheaper generic versions wey dem fi sell for low- den middle-income countries. Gilead Sciences already license Bictegravir, anoda HIV drug, to de MPP.

## Oda activities

* Virchow Prize for Global Health, Member of de Prize Committee (2022–present)    
* Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Member of de Board
* Equality Now, Member of de Advisory Board
* International Gender Champions (IGC), Member

## Ein life matter
For 7 July 1999 top, Byanyima marry Kizza Besigye for Nsambya, Kampala insyd. Besigye be de former chairman of de *Forum for Democratic Change* (FDC) political party for Uganda insyd. Dem be de parents of one son dem call Anselm. Byanyima be member of de FDC, although she significantly reduce ein participation for partisan Ugandan politics since she becam a Ugandan diplomat for 2004 insyd. She get five siblings: Edith, Anthony, Martha, Abraham, den Olivia. She be practicing Roman Catholic.    

## References


## External links

* Biography of Mrs. Gertrude Byanyima, Winnie Byanyima's Mother
* 2008 Interview With Winnie Byanyima
* Oxfam Chief On The Global Problem of Gender Equality – December 2013