Sr Patricia Among during her engineering works. PHOTO/SIMON PETER EMWAMU
On the slopes of Aminit Hill in Soroti District, amid the bustle of a construction site and the clang of metal and concrete, stands an unassuming figure in a white habit and helmet—Rev Sr Patricia Among.
At 35, she is not only a Catholic nun but also a trained civil engineer spearheading the construction of the 6,000-seater Regina Caeli Cathedral, a monumental project by Soroti Catholic Diocese.
Born on September 2, 1990, in present-day Kumi District, she is the sixth of eight children in her family. Her path to sisterhood and engineering was anything but conventional.
Her father died a day before her Primary Leaving Examinations, a tragic event that drew her closer to the church.
“That loss strengthened my faith,” she recalls. “From then, I kept applying to be accepted into the convent,” she adds.
Despite her unwavering desire to join religious life, financial challenges forced her into the workforce.
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After completing Senior Six at Wiggins Secondary School, she studied secretarial accounting and landed a job at Tropical Bank in Jinja.
It was during this time that her application to join the Little Sisters of St Francis of Assisi was finally accepted.
Sr Patricia Among on duty at Regina Caeli Cathedral. PHOTO/SIMON PETER EMWAMU
In 2015, she entered the formation house in Pallisa District for initial religious training. This was followed by two years of study in Tanzania.
After her religious vows, her superiors asked her what professional path she wished to pursue.
She didn’t hesitate—civil engineering.
She enrolled at Nakawa Vocational Institute and earned a diploma after two years. Her first engineering assignment was at the very formation house where her journey had begun, helping construct a multi-storeyed building.
Later, she was posted to Soroti Diocese and took part in the construction at Madera Catholic Parish.
It was there that she came to the attention of Bishop Joseph Oliach Eciru, who invited her to help oversee the Regina Caeli Cathedral project.
The cathedral, estimated to cost Shs50 billion, is projected to be completed within two years.
Sr Among works closely with other engineers and church leaders, reporting directly to the bishop.
But her day doesn’t begin on the construction site.
“There are midnight prayers, morning mass, and only then can I proceed to the site,” she explains.
Before any work starts, she leads the construction team in a moment of prayer at the site camp.
Outside her diocesan duties, Sr Among occasionally offers engineering consultancy for private clients.
“I show up once in a while to check progress and offer technical guidance,” she says.
Despite her success, she admits the job is not without challenges.
“Managing male workers on site, especially when payments delay, can be difficult. That’s when tempers flare, and I have to calm them down,” she adds.
Her commitment to both faith and profession is inspiring. Even after long days on site, she ensures she’s back at the convent by 7pm for evening prayers.
“Sometimes I return late, and the sisters remind me to rest early. They know the fatigue I carry,” Sr Among explains.
Her influence is also inspiring change at home. One of her sisters has followed in her footsteps and is currently undergoing formation with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nigeria.
