The hum of Kampala, a city pulsing with life and ambition, formed the backdrop to Cleopatra Kanyunyuzi’s childhood, a childhood steeped in the values of education, perseverance, and faith. For the young Cleopatra, hard work wasn’t just a concept; it was the rhythm of daily life, instilled by parents who championed academic growth.
“Their encouragement pushed me to excel and instilled a strong sense of discipline,” she recalls, a foundation upon which she would build a career dedicated to empowering the next generation through technology. This upbringing, she explains, “shaped not only my work ethic but also my resilience and confidence in tackling challenges head-on.”
Bridging the Digital Divide: A Vision Takes Shape
This drive led Cleopatra to pursue Computer Science at university, a natural blend of a childhood dream of following her father’s engineering footsteps and a burgeoning passion for the transformative power of technology.
“Courses such as Programming Fundamentals and Computer Networks provided me with hands-on experience and a solid technical foundation,” she notes.
Certifications like CCNA and Linux further solidified her expertise, demonstrating a commitment to mastering the intricacies of network systems and operating environments. Even today, she’s pursuing further education, a testament to her belief in continuous learning in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
“My education has nurtured my technical skills, creativity and passion for building innovative solutions—qualities that define my professional path today,” she reflects.
Club Tangaza: Empowering the Next Generation of Coders
But Cleopatra’s vision extended beyond personal achievement. Recognizing a critical gap in access to early tech training, she founded Club Tangaza in 2019. Her experience in a Women in Tech program that same year had illuminated the stark reality: potential was abundant, but opportunity was scarce.
“While there was immense potential within the community, access to early tech training, foundational knowledge, and networking opportunities was scarce,” she observed.
Club Tangaza was born from a simple yet powerful philosophy: “start early, master early, and become highly skilled—empowering learners to thrive in the job market and contribute meaningfully to the tech industry.” She firmly believes that coding isn’t just for university graduates. In a world saturated with programming languages, early exposure is crucial. “With numerous programming languages to learn in order to compete professionally, starting early gives young learners the time they need to explore, experiment, and develop proficiency,” she explains. The Tangaza Charity Initiative amplifies this mission, extending these vital opportunities to underprivileged communities, ensuring that financial constraints don’t extinguish the spark of potential.
Navigating the Ever-Changing Tech Landscape
The tech world Cleopatra navigates is one of constant flux. “Since I started my journey, the business landscape—especially in the tech industry—has evolved significantly,” she acknowledges.
The rise of digital transformation, automation, and AI has made early coding education even more critical. The shift towards remote work, online learning, and the gig economy has further reshaped the landscape, creating both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. To stay ahead, she embraces continuous learning, networking, and agile business strategies.
“To stay ahead of the curve, I focus on continuous learning and adaptation. I actively stay updated with emerging trends in technology,” she emphasizes.
Overcoming Obstacles: Resilience and Determination
However, Cleopatra’s path hasn’t been without its hurdles. Limited access to resources, creating awareness about the importance of early tech education, financial constraints, bridging the digital divide, and overcoming mistrust of online learning are just a few of the challenges she has faced. “Access to essential resources such as computers, robotics kits, and reliable internet has been a challenge, particularly in schools or communities with limited infrastructure,” she explains.
Gender bias and microaggressions have also been a persistent reality. “As a woman in tech, I have faced several challenges, many of which are unfortunately still common in the industry,” she states. “One of the most glaring issues has been the preference for men in securing contracts and opportunities.”
Through these trials, Cleopatra has learned invaluable lessons. Embracing failure as a learning opportunity, staying focused on her vision, building a strong support network, managing stress, adapting to change, prioritizing financial discipline, maintaining work-life balance, continuously learning, setting realistic goals, and persisting with patience are all principles that guide her journey.
“Failure is part of the entrepreneurial process. Instead of fearing it, learn from mistakes, iterate quickly, and keep improving,” she advises.
Tangaza’s Impact: Reaching Learners Across the Globe
Despite the obstacles, Club Tangaza has flourished, reaching over 300 students across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Congo, the US, and the UK. “Since our inception in December 2019, we’ve focused on creating an online learning model that overcomes the challenges of access to early computer science education,” she explains. The success of their online learning model is a testament to their adaptability and commitment to bridging geographical divides. “Our students, especially those who have been with us for an extended period, have mastered up to four different programming languages,” she proudly notes.
Expanding the Reach: Go Techie and PinkCode Uganda
Initiatives like “Go Techie,” a collaborative project providing computer literacy and web development skills to underprivileged communities, and PinkCode Uganda, a female-founded non-profit promoting inclusivity in tech, further demonstrate Cleopatra’s dedication to empowering others.
“PinkCode Uganda is a female-founded non-profit organization dedicated to creating an inclusive and empowering technology space,” she says. Their “Cyber Guardians” initiative, focusing on online safety for children, highlights her understanding of the evolving digital landscape. “As we continue advancing digitally, children must not be left behind. There is an urgent need to help them navigate the digital world safely without robbing them of their childhood,” she emphasizes.
The Future of Tech: AI and Robotics on the Horizon
Looking to the future, Cleopatra sees immense potential in artificial intelligence and robotics. “The convergence of technology with various scientific disciplines—particularly how engineering and medicine are merging with technology to solve complex, real-world problems is exciting,” she enthuses. Club Tangaza plans to deepen its focus on AI and robotics learning programs, equipping learners with the skills to tackle real-world challenges.
“With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, we want to equip learners with both foundational knowledge and practical skills to work with AI technologies, empowering them to solve real-world problems,” she explains.
A Guiding Philosophy: Balancing Focus and Flexibility
Her approach to problem-solving is encapsulated in a simple yet profound lesson: “Hold the problem tightly, but the solution lightly.” This philosophy emphasizes the importance of deep engagement with challenges while remaining agile and open-minded in the pursuit of solutions.
“This lesson encourages me to strike a balance between focus and flexibility, commitment and adaptability, and innovation and reflection,” she says. It’s a philosophy that not only shapes her leadership style but also fuels Cleopatra Kanyunyuzi’s unwavering commitment to coding a brighter future, one line at a time.