WB

Winnie Byanyima

Executive Director

Winnie Byanyima - Executive Director, UNAIDS



Winnie Byanyima is the Executive Director of UNAIDS and holds the title of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. She has dedicated her life to social justice and gender equality, playing a pivotal role in the United Nations' mission to eradicate the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Byanyima is known for her belief that health care is a human right and has been an early advocate for a People's Vaccine against COVID-19, aiming for it to be available and free of charge to everyone globally.

Professional Background


Before her appointment at UNAIDS in 2019, Byanyima had a significant tenure as the Executive Director of Oxfam International from May 2013 to November 2019. At Oxfam, she led efforts across over 90 countries, focusing on empowering people to secure justice and eliminate poverty. She also held the position of Director of the Gender Team at the United Nations Development Programme from 2006.

Earlier Career:
  • Byanyima served three terms and eleven years in the Ugandan Parliament, where she was instrumental in establishing Uganda's first parliamentary women’s caucus and advocating for gender equality in the 1995 constitution.

  • She led the African Union Commission’s Directorate of Gender and Development and was Director of Gender and Development at the United Nations Development Programme.

  • She founded the influential nongovernmental organization, the Forum for Women in Democracy in Uganda, and has been involved in global coalitions on social justice.

  • As a global leader on inequality, she has co-chaired the World Economic Forum and served on the World Bank’s Advisory Council on Gender and Development, and other international committees.


Achievements and Recognitions


Byanyima has garnered numerous accolades for her contributions, including:
  • Honorary doctorates from the University of the Free State, South Africa; the University of Manchester, United Kingdom; and Mount Saint Vincent University, Canada.

  • She was honored with the 2018 Human Rights and Solidarity among Peoples Prize by the Latin American Council of Social Sciences.


Education


Byanyima holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cranfield University and a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Manchester.

Personal Details


Born on January 13, 1959, in Mbarara, Uganda, Byanyima's parents were prominent figures in Uganda’s socio-political landscape. Her educational background paved the way for a pioneering career in both engineering and political activism. She is married to Kizza Besigye, former chairman of Uganda's Forum for Democratic Change, and they have one son.

Interests


Winnie Byanyima enjoys birdwatching, gardening, and hiking. Notably, one of her given names, Kyegiragire, means "I can make myself whatever I want to be," encapsulating her approach to life and leadership.

Current Roles and Responsibilities


As UNAIDS Executive Director, Byanyima has been proactive in bringing innovative solutions to global health challenges. For example, at the 2024 International AIDS Conference in Munich, she advocated for Gilead Sciences to grant licensing access for Lenacapavir to the UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool, aiming to make affordable HIV treatments accessible in low- and middle-income countries.

Other Notable Roles:
  • Member of the World Bank Group’s Advisory Council on Gender and Development.

  • Member of the Commission for Universal Health, convened by Chatham House.

  • Member of the Virchow Prize for Global Health Committee, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Board, and the Equality Now Advisory Board.

  • Participant in the International Gender Champions network.


Contact and Online Presence





Winnie Byanyima's career is marked by significant milestones in social justice, gender equality, and global health, making her a prominent and influential figure in international development and humanitarian efforts.