Sr Among civil engineer Rev Patricia Among has shattered stereotypes by combining spiritual devotion with her technical skills. At 35, she serves both as a Catholic nun and the lead civil engineer for the Regina Caeli Cathedral in Soroti District, Uganda.
Born in Kumi District in 1990, Sr Among’s path to becoming a nun and engineer was anything but ordinary. The death of her father just before her Primary Leaving Examinations deepened her faith and motivated her to join religious life. Financial difficulties forced her to work before joining the convent. After finishing secondary school, she studied secretarial accounting and worked at Tropical Bank in Jinja.
Eventually, the Little Sisters of St Francis of Assisi accepted her application. In 2015, she began religious formation in Pallisa District, followed by studies in Tanzania. After taking vows, she chose civil engineering as her professional path.
She earned a diploma from Nakawa Vocational Institute after two years. Sr Among started her engineering career building a formation house—the same place she began her religious journey. Later, she joined projects in the Soroti Diocese, including Madera Catholic Parish.
Her skills caught the attention of Bishop Joseph Oliach Eciru, who invited her to oversee the Regina Caeli Cathedral construction. This cathedral will seat 6,000 worshippers, costs approximately Shs50 billion, and is expected to finish in two years.
Sr Among collaborates closely with engineers and church leaders, reporting directly to the bishop. Her days begin with midnight prayers and morning mass, after which she leads her construction team in prayer before work starts.
She also provides engineering consultancy to private clients, offering technical guidance and progress checks. Managing male workers during payment delays can be challenging, but Sr Among handles these moments with professionalism and calm.
Her dedication to faith and engineering inspires many. Despite long days, she returns to the convent by 7 pm for evening prayers. Her fellow sisters encourage her to rest, understanding the fatigue from her demanding role.
Sr Among’s influence reaches her family as well; one sister is now pursuing religious formation with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nigeria.
Sr Among civil engineer shows how faith and skill can combine to break stereotypes and build Uganda’s future.
