Dear women, 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 most prominent female leaders, the outgoing Speaker of Parliament, Rt.Hon. Anita Annet Among, have cast a long shadow over the gains women have made in political leadership. They have placed the entire community of women leaders 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 to shy away from vigorously fighting and negotiating for our rightful space in the Parliament of Uganda. We should not allow the shortcomings of one individual, 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. Our presence, voices, and perspectives are essential to balanced, inclusive, and equitable governance of parliament. If we do not firmly claim and defend this space now, history shows that it may never be available again.
Corruption remains a systemic challenge that must be addressed through individual accountability, never through collective punishment of an entire category of humanity. At no point in our nation’s history have we responded to the failings of male leaders by proposing an entirely women-led organ of government. It would therefore be inconsistent and unjust to allow the alleged transgressions of a single woman to justify an all-male parliamentary leadership. Such a move risks undermining the hard-won strides toward gender inclusivity that Uganda has proudly championed over the years.
I respectfully and earnestly appeal to the
@NRMOnline, and particularly to its Chairman, Pres.
@KagutaMuseveni, to reconsider any inclination toward an all-male parliamentary leadership.
I pray that wisdom and courage will guide all stakeholders in these sensitive deliberations.
@Adrine_kk @RebeccaKadagaUG @JustineLumumba @WanyotoLydia @LillianAber @mkainerugaba @DaudiKabanda