Women Demand Equality In Uganda’s Leadership Positions
By Black Star News Photos: YouTube Screenshots The Women Movement in Uganda has come out to strongly condemn what they call a “male-only” government leadership in Gen Yoweri Museveni’s seventh elective term in office as the race for the Speaker of Parliament heats up. This follows hot in the heels of Museveni’s son and Chief of Defense Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba under his political pressure group, the Patriotic League of Uganda endorsing outgoing Defense and Veteran Affairs minister, Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth for the position of speaker for the 12th Parliament (May 2026-May 2031). Muhoozi also hand-picked the past-immediate deputy speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, to retain his position. To the Women Movement in Uganda whose colleague, outgoing speaker Anita Among, has bowed out of the race—when police and the military intensified searches on her premises and poured out a plethora of investigations against her on allegations of corruption, illicit enrichment and money laundering—leaves the incoming term of administration to men only. “We call upon Members of Parliament to exercise discernment in choosing leaders who prioritize the public interest, uphold constitutional values on gender equality and protect Parliament as the true ‘People’s House’,” the Uganda Women’s Movement said in a statement on May 21. Rooted in affirmative action, the coalition of women politicians, activists and veterans of women’s movement in Uganda do not want Among’s brush to be used on all women of leadership qualities in the country. “One woman’s issue,” Forum for Women In Democracy’s Executive Director, Patricia Babiiha Munabi said, “does not represent everybody. Uganda has had women who served this country diligently and whose names were never tainted.” Former Ethics and Integrity minister, a long-time activist and now veteran member of the Women’s Movement in Uganda, Miria Matembe said when corruption existed before Anita Among, “nobody said ‘men cannot lead.’ There are women of integrity and character who can lead Parliament well.” So far three women—Lydia Wanyoto-Mutende, Persis Namuganza and Dr Florence Asiimwe—have expressed interest in the speakership race. Besides Muhoozi’s two male endorsements, more three males; the ruling party’s Alioni Ondria, Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party and Paul Mwiru of the main opposition party, the National National Unity Platform, are the other men pitting the speakership race on five males against three females. “Dear women,” former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kiiza salutes her colleagues, “especially the newly-elected Members of Parliament, these are undeniably challenging times for the women’s movement in Uganda. I am aware that the ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption and illicit enrichment against one of our own most prominent female leaders, the outgoing Speaker of Parliament…Anita Annet Among have cast a long shadow over the gains women have made in political leadership. “They [investigations] placed the entire community of women leadership under the microscope and in such moments, it is natural for doubt, hesitation and even fear to speak up or negotiate for power. Yet it is precisely in these difficult seasons that principled, courageous leadership is most urgently required. I appeal to you, with deep respect and conviction, not only to shy away from vigorously fighting and negotiating for our rightful place in the Parliament of Uganda. We should not allow the shortcomings of one individual to become, however senior, to become a collective indictment or a pretext for diminishing women’s representation in the very institution where critical national decisions are made.” In what she described as “following wide consultations”, Among who was widely seen as likely to retain her position of speaker withdrew her candidature on May 17, thus; “I wish to draw the attention of the public to the matters regarding the Speakership race. After wide consultations and deep introspection, and to maintain harmony and clarity in my beloved party, the NRM [the ruling National Resistance Movement], I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament…. “In the meantime,” she promised, “I pledge to continue cooperating with all ongoing investigations as initiated by the relevant organs of the state to get to the root of all the allegations raised.” “As the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament unfolds, the Uganda Women’s Movement calls upon all aspirants to uphold the principles that ensure Parliament remains a truly representative, credible, respected and trusted institution,” the Women Movement’s statement reads partly. Parliament elects the speaker and deputy on May 25; kicking off the five-year lifespan of the 12th Parliament. According to Rules of Procedure, the Speaker of Parliament is elected by all members of the augu
Black News 
By Black Star News
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
The Women Movement in Uganda has come out to strongly condemn what they call a “male-only” government leadership in Gen Yoweri Museveni’s seventh elective term in office as the race for the Speaker of Parliament heats up. This follows hot in the heels of Museveni’s son and Chief of Defense Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba under his political pressure group, the Patriotic League of Uganda endorsing outgoing Defense and Veteran Affairs minister, Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth for the position of speaker for the 12th Parliament (May 2026-May 2031).
Muhoozi also hand-picked the past-immediate deputy speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, to retain his position. To the Women Movement in Uganda whose colleague, outgoing speaker Anita Among, has bowed out of the race—when police and the military intensified searches on her premises and poured out a plethora of investigations against her on allegations of corruption, illicit enrichment and money laundering—leaves the incoming term of administration to men only.
“We call upon Members of Parliament to exercise discernment in choosing leaders who prioritize the public interest, uphold constitutional values on gender equality and protect Parliament as the true ‘People’s House’,” the Uganda Women’s Movement said in a statement on May 21.
Rooted in affirmative action, the coalition of women politicians, activists and veterans of women’s movement in Uganda do not want Among’s brush to be used on all women of leadership qualities in the country. “One woman’s issue,” Forum for Women In Democracy’s Executive Director, Patricia Babiiha Munabi said, “does not represent everybody. Uganda has had women who served this country diligently and whose names were never tainted.”
Former Ethics and Integrity minister, a long-time activist and now veteran member of the Women’s Movement in Uganda, Miria Matembe said when corruption existed before Anita Among, “nobody said ‘men cannot lead.’ There are women of integrity and character who can lead Parliament well.”
So far three women—Lydia Wanyoto-Mutende, Persis Namuganza and Dr Florence Asiimwe—have expressed interest in the speakership race. Besides Muhoozi’s two male endorsements, more three males; the ruling party’s Alioni Ondria, Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party and Paul Mwiru of the main opposition party, the National National Unity Platform, are the other men pitting the speakership race on five males against three females.
“Dear women,” former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kiiza salutes her colleagues, “especially the newly-elected Members of Parliament, these are undeniably challenging times for the women’s movement in Uganda. I am aware that the ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption and illicit enrichment against one of our own most prominent female leaders, the outgoing Speaker of Parliament…Anita Annet Among have cast a long shadow over the gains women have made in political leadership.
“They [investigations] placed the entire community of women leadership under the microscope and in such moments, it is natural for doubt, hesitation and even fear to speak up or negotiate for power. Yet it is precisely in these difficult seasons that principled, courageous leadership is most urgently required. I appeal to you, with deep respect and conviction, not only to shy away from vigorously fighting and negotiating for our rightful place in the Parliament of Uganda. We should not allow the shortcomings of one individual to become, however senior, to become a collective indictment or a pretext for diminishing women’s representation in the very institution where critical national decisions are made.”
In what she described as “following wide consultations”, Among who was widely seen as likely to retain her position of speaker withdrew her candidature on May 17, thus; “I wish to draw the attention of the public to the matters regarding the Speakership race. After wide consultations and deep introspection, and to maintain harmony and clarity in my beloved party, the NRM [the ruling National Resistance Movement], I wish to categorically and unequivocally state that I will not be offering myself for the Speakership race of the 12th Parliament….
“In the meantime,” she promised, “I pledge to continue cooperating with all ongoing investigations as initiated by the relevant organs of the state to get to the root of all the allegations raised.”
“As the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament unfolds, the Uganda Women’s Movement calls upon all aspirants to uphold the principles that ensure Parliament remains a truly representative, credible, respected and trusted institution,” the Women Movement’s statement reads partly. Parliament elects the speaker and deputy on May 25; kicking off the five-year lifespan of the 12th Parliament.
According to Rules of Procedure, the Speaker of Parliament is elected by all members of the august House among themselves. The process follows a clear procedure of nomination and consent voting. Secret ballot applies where there is more than one nominee. Ballots are then counted in full view of the members present. The Clerk confirms the number of members present before voting. The winner needs a majority of members present at voting. Results are then declared followed by oath-taking before the Chief Justice.
“Political leaders frequently box women out of key positions through systemic barriers like gatekeeping within party leadership and the allocation of marginalized or ‘social-only’ portfolios. Globally, executive positions held by women are declining, with women heading ministries hovering at just 22.4%. When President Museveni came to power [in January 1986], he promoted affirmative action gender equality in leadership and decision-making. The same principles are emphasized in national objective VI and Article 33(4) of the Constitution. At regional and international levels, SDG5 and Aspiration 6 in the AU 2063 Agenda,” states activist Sarah Bireete who heads Kampala-headquartered East and Horn of Africa’s Center for Constitutional Governance; a constitutional watchdog.
Each of the three arms of government has two top positions; President and Chief Justice, according to Bireete, already occupied by men. “We have a male President and male Chief Justice. We also have a male Deputy Chief Justice. Shall we have an all-male leadership in Parliament?…Where is the place for women?” asks Bireete, on May 22.
