The Director of Women Affairs in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Brig Gen Charity Bainababo, has shared the UPDF’s progress in promoting gender equality and inclusivity, stressing that gender parity is a fundamental requirement for sustainable development, effective governance, and professional security institutions.
Brig Gen Bainababo made the remarks during a high-level regional benchmarking exercise on gender parity and inclusivity within security institutions held at the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe.
The exercise brought together delegations from Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, and Rwanda to exchange experiences and best practices on gender-responsive security sector reforms, with a particular focus on supporting South Sudan’s efforts to develop a gender mainstreaming and inclusivity policy for its National Police and Prisons Services.
Opening UPDF’s contribution to the engagement, Brig Gen Bainababo emphasised that gender equality remains central to national development and institutional effectiveness.
Quoting former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, she said, “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenges of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development, and building good governance.”
She further cited President Museveni’s position on gender inclusivity, noting that meaningful participation is not simply about increasing numbers but about creating opportunities that enable individuals to contribute effectively to national development.
Brig Gen Bainababo highlighted the critical role women played during Uganda’s liberation struggle, serving as combatants, intelligence operatives, and mobilisers.
She pointed to the contributions of senior female officers, including Lt Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso, Maj Gertrude Njuba, and others whose dedication and sacrifice helped shape Uganda’s history.
The benchmarking exercise also heard from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dorothy Nsereko, who welcomed participants on behalf of the Government of Uganda and described the engagement as an important milestone in regional cooperation.
“This week marks an important milestone in regional cooperation, and we are privileged to support South Sudan’s journey towards developing a gender mainstreaming and inclusivity policy for its National Police and Prisons Services,” she said.
Nsereko noted that modern security institutions must go beyond maintaining law and order and should also focus on protecting rights, promoting dignity, preventing gender-based violence, and ensuring equal participation of both men and women.
Drawing from Uganda’s experience, she outlined three key lessons for advancing gender equality within security institutions.
These included ensuring that recruitment of women is supported by practical measures such as childcare facilities and zero tolerance for harassment, maintaining transparent and merit-based promotion systems, and allocating adequate funding to gender mainstreaming initiatives.
“Security is not only about guns but also about trust, and trust is impossible when half the population does not see itself represented in uniform,” she said.
Representing South Sudan’s Minister of Interior, the Deputy Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Mangar Buong Aluenge, expressed appreciation to Uganda for hosting the delegation and reaffirmed South Sudan’s commitment to advancing gender equality within its security institutions.
He noted that years of conflict and limited access to education had affected women’s participation in leadership and security institutions in South Sudan but said the benchmarking exercise would support evidence-based planning, accountability, and reforms aimed at strengthening gender inclusion.
“We believe that effective reform must be based on accurate information and data. Good data improves planning, accountability, and helps us measure progress in promoting gender equality,” he said.
Lt Gen Mangar acknowledged the progress made by Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya in advancing gender inclusion and expressed confidence that South Sudan would adapt lessons learned from the exercise to its own context.
He encouraged women leaders and participants to become advocates for change by mentoring young girls and promoting greater female participation in public service and security institutions.
“Our goal is to build security institutions that are professional, effective, and trusted by the public. We must continue building the capacity of our sisters because we believe they have a critical role to play in the future of South Sudan,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons Service, Dr Johnson Byabashaija, Assistant Commissioner General of Prisons Milton Tiyo outlined the service’s achievements in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
He revealed that women currently head seven of the Uganda Prisons Service’s 35 departments, including ICT, Health Services, Prison Industries, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Social Rehabilitation, and the Prison Academy and Training School.
ACGP Tiyo further noted that several prison stations, including some male-only facilities, are commanded by female officers, while women also lead three of the service’s 19 regional commands.
He said the Uganda Prisons Service provides specialised support to female inmates through the provision of sanitary materials and daycare centres for children living with incarcerated mothers.
As a best practice, he encouraged institutions to establish clear gender policies, enforce zero tolerance for sexual harassment and discrimination, and invest in leadership development opportunities for women.
Closing the session, Lt Col Harriet Fouzia Ginaba of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces thanked Uganda and regional partners for facilitating the learning exchange.
She acknowledged the support of the governments of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan, as well as development partners including UNDP, UN Women, UNESCO, and the Peacebuilding Fund in advancing gender-responsive security sector reforms.
Lt Col Ginaba also commended the leadership of South Sudan’s Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare for championing women’s participation in security institutions.
She noted that considerable progress had been made in strengthening women’s leadership, mentorship programmes, and professional networks within South Sudan’s organised forces.
“The establishment of the National Women in Security Sector Network marks an important milestone in advancing women’s leadership, institutional reform, peacebuilding, and community service in South Sudan,” she said.
The benchmarking exercise is expected to provide South Sudan’s security institutions with practical lessons and strategies for strengthening gender equality, inclusivity, and professional standards while reinforcing regional cooperation among East African security agencies.