ISO-LOMSO Fellow at Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS)

I am Victoria Flavia Namuggala, Lecturer, School of Women and Gender Studies, Makerere University. I received the ISO-LOMSO Fellowship in 2022 having submitted my application which successfully went through the selection process. Iso Lomso means ‘the eye of tomorrow’ in isiXhosa: seeing towards the future, laying the foundations for tomorrow. Iso Lomso fellowships provide a three-year attachment to Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). The fellowship provides fellows with an opportunity to develop and conduct long-term research programme of their preference.

How did the School of Women and Gender Studies support the process?

The school was really supportive right from the start. The Dean, Associate Professor Sarah Ssali wrote a recommendation for my application, and later when selected committed to supporting me further to have all the resources to sufficient undertake the fellowship. Makerere University, through the college of humanities and social sciences has given me time off my official duties to participate in this fellowship. Last year, I had a two-month session at STIAS in south Africa.

How does this fellowship benefit the university?

The fellowship is beneficial to me as an individual, but also the School of Women and Gender Studies and Makerere University as a whole. It is a platform for network building across leading scholars in Africa on issues pertinent for the continent. Resident fellowships further provide avenues for fellows to interact with advanced scholars from multidisciplinary backgrounds across the globe. It is a mentorship opportunity for mid-career academics which can further be transferred to the other colleagues and students we interact with. Such residences further offer opportunities for publication

What project are currently working on? 

Building from most recent research we conducted, which centered experiences of young women working as domestic workers, which can be reached at Development Policy Review – 2023 – Namuggala – Social and gender norms informing voicing and reporting against sexual (1).pdf. The study realized that teenage pregnancies are an instigator to young women working as domestic helpers.  As young parents, they endure harassment and abuse in order to provide for their children.  My current project is title: Identity and Belonging: Indigenous Perspectives to Teenage Parenthood in Kampala. This research has been funded by STIAS.

Any final words?

I wish to appreciate STIAS, Makerere University, CHUSS and School of Women and Gender Studies for availing the opportunity. I also encourage colleagues to take up such fellowships in case the opportunity avails.