By Denis Mukisa
Women leaders in Kayunga District have rallied behind Hajjati Faridah Kibowa, endorsing her bid for a second term as National Chairperson of the Uganda Women’s Council.
The endorsement followed the recently concluded lower-level women’s council elections, with leaders in Nazigo Ward pledging to mobilise support for Kibowa as the elections progress to the higher levels.
Prossy Matovu, the newly elected Chairperson of the Women’s Council in Nazigo Ward, said she would spearhead a campaign to mobilise delegates from across the country in support of Kibowa’s re-election.
Matovu said Kibowa’s tenure had strengthened the visibility of the Women’s Council and increased the participation of women in leadership and community affairs.
She pointed to Kibowa’s grassroots programmes as having helped build confidence among women, enabling more of them to speak publicly, participate in decision-making and take up leadership responsibilities.
“We have seen a change in the way women participate in leadership. Many women who previously feared speaking in public can now confidently address meetings and champion issues affecting their communities,” Matovu said.
Kibowa, who was elected Vice Chairperson of the Nazigo Ward Women’s Council, used the occasion to outline her priorities for a second term at the national level.
She said her focus would be on strengthening the Women’s Council from the village level upwards, arguing that effective representation of women begins with empowering leaders at the grassroots.
Under her proposed programme, newly elected village women leaders would undergo structured induction to help them understand their responsibilities, identify challenges affecting women and effectively advocate for their communities.
Kibowa also placed economic empowerment at the centre of her agenda, urging women to take advantage of government programmes aimed at improving household incomes and reducing poverty.
She said women should not only be beneficiaries of government initiatives but should also play an active role in strengthening the economic wellbeing of their families and communities.
“Women must understand their vital role in contributing to the financial stability of their households,” Kibowa said, while encouraging women to support one another in pursuing economic opportunities.
Beyond economic empowerment, Kibowa called for greater attention to maternal health, urging women leaders to use their positions to encourage expectant mothers to attend antenatal care and deliver in health facilities.
She particularly encouraged village and parish leaders to sensitise communities about the importance of seeking professional maternal healthcare and discourage reliance on traditional birth attendants where health facilities are accessible.
Kibowa said stronger mobilisation at the grassroots could contribute to reducing preventable maternal deaths and improving health outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Matovu, meanwhile, pledged to work with women in Nazigo Ward to promote access to justice and ensure that communities benefit from government programmes.
The elections also saw a strong showing by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Nazigo Town Council.
Betty Nalweiso, the NRM Chairperson for Nazigo Town Council, said NRM candidates went unopposed in all 10 villages in the ward, which she attributed to the party’s mobilisation efforts and the confidence voters had in its candidates.
The newly elected Nazigo Ward Women’s Council executive comprises Matovu as Chairperson, Kibowa as Vice Chairperson, Busingye Marckline as Secretary, Nangobi Monicca as Publicity Secretary and Nakyanzi Debora as Treasurer.
The women’s council electoral process is continuing through the sub-county, municipal and district levels before culminating in national elections, where delegates will elect the National Chairperson.
Kibowa’s endorsement in Kayunga adds momentum to her bid for another term, while also placing greater attention on the role of grassroots women leaders in shaping the priorities of the national council.
English 