imma1306@yorku.ca

Immaculée Uwanyiligira is a second year PhD student in Social Work. She holds a BA in Languages and Literature (Makerere University), an MSc in Information and Telecommunication Systems (John Hopkins), and an MA in International Affairs (Columbia).

She worked for the UN World Food Program as Head of the Information Technology and Telecommunication Unit (1998–99); at the UN Secretariat (1999–2010) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations as Head Information Technology Section in DPKO’s Situation Centre (1999–2003); and as a Political Analyst (2003–10) in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan; supporting the implementation of peace agreements, developing conflict-resolution and post-conflict peacebuilding responses. From 2015 to 2017, she worked as Senior Program Manager for the UN Economic Commission for Africa providing strategic advice to ECA’s leadership and managing the implementation of flagship projects and programs. From 2018–19, she worked as a consultant for the UN Development Program in Mauritius and Seychelles, advising the UN system on strategic engagement with the two countries. Prior to joining the UN, she held various positions (Systems Engineer, Information Management Specialist, Technical Support Specialist) for six years in the United States private sector in the field of Information Technology.

From 2010 to 2013, she worked as Ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands, accredited to Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia and to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. She was responsible for multiple portfolios, including bilateral and multilateral relations, and tourism, trade and investment promotion.