Women’s rights activists have urged President Museveni to appoint more women to senior government positions as Uganda prepares for a new cabinet and the 12th Parliament.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kampala, Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) Executive Director Patricia Munabi said women should retain key positions such as Vice President and Prime Minister, arguing that Uganda has many qualified female leaders capable of serving in top offices.
“We are calling on the President of Uganda to allocate the positions he gave to women previously — Vice President and Prime Minister,” Munabi said. “There are so many capable women that have the credentials for those positions.”
The activists also called for increased female representation in parliamentary leadership and committee structures, saying Parliament should amend its Rules of Procedure to promote gender parity.
Munabi praised former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga for reforms that expanded women’s participation in parliamentary leadership and urged lawmakers in the incoming Parliament to build on those gains.
The women’s movement further appealed to Museveni to maintain women in charge of key ministries such as health, trade and energy, which activists said directly affect the welfare of many women across the country.
Activists also proposed the appointment of a young female leader to oversee Uganda’s growing technology and artificial intelligence sector, saying women should not be left behind in emerging fields.
Munabi said women’s organisations had already compiled a list of qualified female candidates for consideration in senior government appointments.
Former Ethics Minister and women’s rights activist Miria Matembe warned the incoming 12th Parliament against reversing gains made by the women’s movement over the years.
“The men in the 12th Parliament should support women in order to protect the gains of the women’s movement in Uganda,” Matembe said. “We have come from far; don’t take us back in reverse.”
Mukono Woman MP Sheilah Amaniyo also challenged female legislators entering the 12th Parliament to demonstrate independent and accountable leadership.
“Many women MPs in the past have shown that leadership of purpose, service and integrity is absolutely possible,” Amaniyo said.
The calls come amid growing pressure from women’s organisations for greater representation in cabinet, Parliament and national decision-making institutions as Uganda enters a new political term.
