This article examines how Affirmative Action was used to govern access to higher education for the disadvantaged. In 1991, a gender-based Affirmative Action policy was incorporated into college admission in Uganda. Using existing empirical data at district and college levels, the article accounts for the categories of women for whom the Uganda’s Affirmative Action policy is most effective. The study found that Affirmative Action had a substantial effect. Sixty-six per cent of the sampled population would not have been admitted, had it not been for Affirmative Action. But the policy did not work for the historically disadvantaged; it worked for specific categories of women from specific regions, districts and high schools; on grounds that it was implemented for competitive reasons. The study provides relevant lessons for policy making in countries grappling with the challenges of high socio-economic inequality and higher returns to higher education.

本文探讨了如何使用平权行动来管理弱势群体获得高等教育的机会。1991 年，基于性别的平权行动政策被纳入乌干达的大学录取。文章利用地区和大学层面的现有经验数据，说明了乌干达平权行动政策最有效的女性类别。研究发现，平权行动具有重大影响。如果不是平权行动，66% 的抽样人口不会被录取。但该政策对历史上处于不利地位的人不起作用；它适用于来自特定地区、地区和高中的特定类别的妇女；理由是它是出于竞争原因而实施的。