Monica Nyiraguhabwa is an innovative social entrepreneur and nonprofit executive. In 2012, she co-founded Girl Up Initiative Uganda (GUIU) to respond to the limited life choices and opportunities among adolescent girls and young women living in the under-served areas of Uganda. 

Monica is a highly respected advocate for girls’ Education in Uganda and globally. She is a recipient of multiple global awards and fellowship programmes; Obama Africa leader, Perennial Fellow, Cordes Fellow, Skoll Fellow and African Visionary Fellow.

Monica has guided GUIU to achieving global status as a well-known locally-rooted organization working to secure long-term change for girls and young women. The organisation has been internationally recognized as part of Michelle Obama’s Girls Opportunity Alliance and through their feature on NBC’s The Today Show with Jenna Bush Hager. 

Monica is a tireless advocate for girls Education who sees Girl Up Initiative Uganda scaling its work in transforming lives of girls and young women in Uganda and beyond.

Monica is a Commonwealth Scholar with an MA in Education, Gender and International Development from the University College of London and a BA in Adult and Community Education from Makerere University.