Speaking during the Jinja District Local Government's Women's Day celebrations held on Tuesday at Namagera Town Council Headquarters, Babalanda said this year's theme, "Scaling up Investment to Accelerate Access to Justice for all Women and Girls in Uganda," resonates with the global campaign, "Rights, Justice, Action for all Women and Girls."
Babalanda paid tribute to President Museveni for what she described as his unwavering commitment to empowering women since the National Resistance Movement (NRM) came to power.
"Before the NRM came into leadership, many women were largely confined to traditional domestic roles with limited opportunities to influence national affairs. Through the President's vision of fundamental change, women have risen to occupy the highest levels of leadership and decision-making in our country," she said.
Babalanda noted that Uganda has made remarkable progress in promoting women's participation in leadership, citing the latest data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UN Women.
"Uganda today proudly ranks sixth globally among countries with the highest female representation in the Executive, with women holding about 49 percent of Cabinet positions. Women also constitute approximately 35.3 percent of Members of Parliament, placing Uganda among the world's leading nations in women's parliamentary representation and among the top ten in Africa. These achievements are a clear demonstration of government's unwavering commitment to gender equality and inclusive governance,” she said.
Beyond political representation, Babalanda highlighted government investments aimed at improving the economic wellbeing of women and girls through affirmative action initiatives.
She said programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project have enabled millions of women to participate meaningfully in Uganda's socio-economic transformation.
Babalanda added that government has also implemented affirmative action measures in education, healthcare, and youth empowerment programmes to expand opportunities for women and girls.
Despite these achievements, Babalanda said significant challenges remain, particularly in the Busoga region, where adolescent pregnancies and poverty continue to undermine the rights and welfare of women and girls.
"Busoga still records one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the country, estimated at between 28.4 and 34 percent, well above the national average of 24 percent. At the same time, urban poverty remains a significant challenge at approximately 12 percent. Poverty continues to expose many girls and women to exploitation, gender-based violence, school dropout, and denial of their fundamental rights," she said.
Babalanda emphasized that addressing these challenges requires the participation of every stakeholder and should not be left to government alone.
"The challenge before us is not for government alone. It is a responsibility that rests upon all of us—leaders, parents, religious institutions, cultural leaders, civil society, and every citizen of Busoga. We must complement President Museveni's deliberate efforts by protecting our girls, keeping them in school, supporting women's economic empowerment, and promoting justice and dignity for every woman," she said.
Babalanda also linked the fight against corruption to the protection and empowerment of women and girls, saying misuse of public resources directly undermines opportunities meant to improve their lives.
"As we implement the President's call of 'Kisanja No More Sleep, No More Corruption,' let us reject corruption, bribery, and all forms of injustice because these vices often create fertile ground for the exploitation and marginalization of women and girls. Every shilling lost through corruption is a missed opportunity to educate or treat a girl, empower a woman, or improve their access to justice," she said.
Babalanda said government has already established the necessary policies, programmes, and opportunities to support women and girls, urging communities to ensure they fully benefit from them.
"The government has created the policies, programmes, and opportunities for women to thrive. It is now our collective duty to ensure that every girl in Busoga enjoys these opportunities so that no one is left behind as Uganda advances towards higher middle-income status under Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV," she said.
Babalanda further encouraged women to remain confident in their abilities while calling upon men and leaders to actively support gender equality.
"I urge every woman to continue believing in herself, every man to become a champion of women's rights, and every leader to serve with integrity and purpose. Together, we can build a society where every woman and every girl lives free from discrimination, violence, and poverty, and is empowered to realise her full potential," she said.
Babalanda commended the leadership of Jinja District for successfully organizing the Women's Day celebrations.