INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2022 🚺

Presented by Joseph Kizza | Pictures by Mpalanyi Ssentongo

(Scroll down the page for earlier updates)

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3:55 pm

I will wrap up this commentary with these pictures of some of today's medal awardees.

Thank you for following and a Happy Women's Day to everyone!

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3:42 pm

Medals ceremony done. Anthems - in reverse order - next.

Today's heat has been unrelenting!

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3:25 pm

🎖️  Reposting this from earlier on this page . . .

The Golden Jubilee Medal is awarded in recognition of outstanding service and loyalty to Uganda from October 9, 1962 (when Uganda achieved her independence from Britain) to date.

Golden Jubilee (civilians)

Caroline Kego Laker
Vanessa Nakate
Grace Nakibaala
Florence Bonabana
Norah Njuba Bwaya
Prof. Francis A. Miiro (RIP)
Mary Musoke
Elizabeth Musoke Norah
Ruth Senyonyi (BoU)
Joan Nalubega
Beatrice Chelangat
Margaret Ntakalimaze
Prof. Henry Kasozi
Yowasi Makaru Rwamango (RIP)
Kazibwe Prossy Rebecca
Sr. Mary Gabriella Lutwama
Eunice Kateshumbwa
Oidu Anne Christine
Penina Namasa (RIP)
Hajat Faridah Kibowa
Dr. Zinaida Borissov
Dr. Konstantin Borissov

Golden Jubilee (UPDF)

Maj. Winnie Nabaasa

Golden Jubilee (Police)

SSP Rebecca Namugenyi
ASP Sarah Kiwanuka
IP Gladys Nambozo
IP Mary Kasabiiti
CPL Stella Akello

Police: Long Service Gold (30 years-plus)

IP Esther Nakayiza
IP David Babi
CPL Margret Akiding

Honorary Medal

Moses Mugume (administrator, Kisizi Hospital)
Robert Butamanya

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3:20 pm

The people awarded medals today are being recognized - by name and their achievements. One by one, they make their way to the front, having already been decorated much earlier into the ceremony.

Those that have been awarded posthumously, including Prof. Francis A. Miiro, Yowasi Makaru Rwamango and Penina Namasa, have been represented.

They will have a photo op with the President and the First Lady - in groups.

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3:12 pm

Earlier, the National Women's Council asked for audience with the President on all matters women.

In response, Museveni says he is eager to meet them and asks for a day-long meeting with the women leaders next month (April).

His positive gesture draws huge applause and ululations from the crowd.

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3:06 pm

The President says his Government's socio-economic approach is aimed at eliminating peasantry from Uganda by achieving middle-income economic status.

"We want to phase out peasants. We want to ensure that a peasant does not produce another peasant.

"A cattle raider should not produce a cattle raider. A cattle raider should produce a farmer or a hotel owner," he says.

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2:59 pm

Museveni says he believes the most important element of them all is economic empowerment.

He says the recently launched Parish Development Model and Emyooga, both Government programmes, "will definitely make big changes in society".

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2:54 pm

📸  EARLIER:  The National Women's Council presented a gift in form of a portrait to the First Couple . . .

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2:49 pm

President Museveni names education as another critical element in advancing women in society, and he talks of the current literacy rate for women being at 76% (against the 81% men's literacy rate).

"Let us implement completely free education," he urges.

Political empowerment is another significant element in promoting women empowerment, according to the President.

He says that when he appoints a woman as vice-president or prime minister, it is a sign that he trusts that women, too, can manage. "Therefore, that political empowerment, both structurally and symbolically, also helps in terms of shaping views."

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2:42 pm

The President underlines the key elements of focus for the advancement of women empowerment in a society like Uganda's. Security and health are among them.

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2:37 pm

'I will not kill you with my long speech'

Museveni has 13 pages of speech. But he says he will spare listeners and all those watching the lengthy discourse. Instead, he says he will have the full speech published later. For now, he provides highlights of the delivery.

To begin with, he says the National Resistance Movement (NRM) position, right from the beginning, aimed at transforming the whole society.

"The problem with Africa is that we delayed in socio-economic transformation," adds Museveni.

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2:33 pm

President Yoweri Museveni begins his address.

After observing all protocol, he starts off by saying: "I congratulate Ugandans, and especially the women, for coming up to this day of the Women's Day of 2022, having gone through the corona pandemic. Banange mukulike akawuka!"

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2:31 pm

Minister Amongi invites Vice-President Jessica Alupo to do the honours of inviting the President to address the nation.

She delivers brief remarks of her own, during which she, like many speakers before her, thanks the President for his appointment of women to his cabinet, adding that they accepted the gesture "with humility".

And hers and her fellow women leaders' pledge to the President: "We shall continue walking this journey with you as we have done before."

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2:20 pm

Amongi thanks President Museveni for the latest mnisterial appointments, including the Vice-President (Jessica Alupo), Prime Minister (Robinah Nabbanja) and EAC Affairs minister (Rebecca Kadaga).

She says females make up 44% of the cabinet and about 35% of Parliament.

"We are getting there," she says.

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2:16 pm

Minister Amongi adds that in the buildup to today, women engaged in a number of activities in Uganda, including;

- Launch of the national campaign on ending teenage pregnancies

- Launch of National Women's Forum

- Celebrating 30th anniversary of Makerere University's School of Women and Gender Studies

- National Women Council's annual general meeting

- Groundbreaking of the Imara Women's Centre

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2:12 pm

Gender minister Betty Ongom Amongi says on this day of celebration, women come together and "take stock of our achievements".

"We also celebrate to reflect on what actions are required to be taken to close the gap," she adds.

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2:05 pm

📸  EARLIER:  Pictures from the march past . . .

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1:45 pm

Peace Mutuuzo, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture, has taken over emceeing duties and she is recognizing - by name and title - the guests present, including ministers and permanent secretaries.

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1:33 pm

Dependence on national resources makes girls and women more vulnerable, says the European Union (EU) representative.

He says women are equally essential in the climate change fight, adding that the EU is urging more economic empowerment programmmes in both the formal and informal sectors.

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1:25 pm

'Gender equality is 3rd-least supported SDG'

In her speech, which she has had to deliver again due to a faulty microphone, UN's Susan Ngongi Namondo says global investment is still lacking in the area of gender equality, a sustainable development goal, adding that reports indicate it is the third-least supported SDG.

She says more funding is needed to boost gender equality efforts across the spectrum.

Calling it an "enabler, accelerator and catalyst" in the climate change efforts, the UN representative says gender quality "is even more critical now".

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1:13 pm

Susan Ngongi Namondo, the UN resident co-ordinator in Uganda, says the UN hails Uganda's efforts in advancing gender equality and women emancipation. She says the percentage of women in politics is "a very clear achievement".

She, however, says that amid all the efforts, women still enjoy "less than their rightful share" of the overall national and global progress in their development across all the sustainable development goals (SDG) areas.

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1:08 pm

In her passionate delivery, Hajat Faridah Kibowa rallies all government agencies to use the Uganda Women Council for the proper implentation of govenment programmes.

She also urges Ugandans to embrace government initiatives, including the Parish Development Model.

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1:02 pm

This year's theme on sustainability recognizes the contributions of women and girls around the world at the forefront of climate change adaptation, mitigation and response to build a more sustainable future for all.

Making reference to the theme, Hajat Faridah Kibowa says water is becoming scarce, forcing many women and girls to walk long distances to get water and firewood, which exposes them to such risks as rape and defilement.

She thanks President Yoweri Museveni for appointing many female leaders in key decision-making positions.

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12:54 pm

After that delightful performance by Shiloh Atuhaire Mukhwana, next up are speeches.

Hajat Faridah Kibowa, who has been awarded a Golden Jubilee medal today, is called forward to deliver the first speech of the day. Kibowa is the chairperson of the National Women Council, and it is no wonder her arrival is met with a huge applause from the guests.

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12:53 pm

A truly deserved 'brown envelope' for the young performer . . .

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12:48 pm

Here I am struggling to learn how to play a guitar and this little five-year-old, Shiloh Atuhaire Mukhwana, is having a field day on the piano at Kololo. Playing and singing simultaneously!

Such a lovely soul - a song about His Excellency is what she has performed like a maestro. The First Couple have smiled through her entire presentation. Ululations and applause ring out across Kololo for her!

For me, the little girl has tasked me with ramping up my noob guitar skills.

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12:27 pm

As is the case for such national functions, the diplomatic, religious and cultural fraternities are represented today at Kololo.

Meanwhile, the march past punctuated with an entertaining conclusion has come to an end. Anthems next and we move on to the next part of  the day's programme. Performances (a poem presentation and song) and speeches.

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12:14 pm

A total of 33 medals have been awarded to people at today's celebration. Scroll down to entry 11:03am for the full list of those awarded.

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12:03 pm

The prayer session, led by an all-female cast, is followed by a march past. Vice-President Jessica Alupo is attending the function.

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11:46 am

President Yoweri Museveni is inspecting the guard of honour - it is an all-female parade for today's celebration. Fitting!

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11:43 am

Lt. Col. Suzan Lakot is the parade commander for today.

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11:37 am

President Yoweri Museveni has arrived at Kololo accompanied by the First Lady and education & sports minister Janet Museveni.

It is a sweltering day in Kampala. Anthems next.

First, Uganda's, then East Africa's and finally the Uganda Women's.

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11:32 am

There is word that the President is around the corner . . .

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11:27 am

Follow the event on Vision Group's platforms.

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11:20 am

As mentioned earlier, the global theme for this year's International Women's Day is Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow, which Uganda has adopted as her national theme.

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11:15 am

We have seen the arrival the high-profile guests, including government officials: gender minister Betty Amongi, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Vice-President Jessica Alupo.

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11:03 am

🎖️  Today, 33 people are decorated (some posthumously) with medals at Kololo.

The Golden Jubilee Medal is awarded in recognition of outstanding service and loyalty to Uganda from October 9, 1962 (when Uganda achieved her independence from Britain) to date.

Golden Jubilee (civilians)

Caroline Kego Laker
Vanessa Nakate
Grace Nakibaala
Florence Bonabana
Norah Njuba Bwaya
Prof. Francis A. Miiro (RIP)
Mary Musoke
Elizabeth Musoke Norah
Ruth Senyonyi (BoU)
Joan Nalubega
Beatrice Chelangat
Margaret Ntakalimaze
Prof. Henry Kasozi
Yowasi Makaru Rwamango (RIP)
Kazibwe Prossy Rebecca
Sr. Mary Gabriella Lutwama
Eunice Kateshumbwa
Oidu Anne Christine
Penina Namasa (RIP)
Hajat Faridah Kibowa
Dr. Zinaida Borissov
Dr. Konstantin Borissov

Golden Jubilee (UPDF)

Maj. Winnie Nabaasa

Golden Jubilee (Police)

SSP Rebecca Namugenyi
ASP Sarah Kiwanuka
IP Gladys Nambozo
IP Mary Kasabiiti
CPL Stella Akello

Police: Long Service Gold (30 years-plus)

IP Esther Nakayiza
IP David Babi
CPL Margret Akiding

Honorary Medal

Moses Mugume (administrator, Kisizi Hospital)
Robert Butamanya

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10:52 am

Today's annual celebration is in recognition of the role and contribution of women to the development process all over the world. 

It provides an opportunity to enhance advocacy for the inclusion of women's concerns on the development agenda at all levels by calling on member states of the United Nation to design and implement interventions aimed at attaining gender equality and the empowerment of women.

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10:37 am

Pictures from Kololo as guests interact ahead of the official start of today's function.

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10:22 am

As Uganda joins the rest of the world in celebrating International Women's Day, the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJU) has asked for a tough law to protect women.

Justice Henrietta Wolayo, the NAWJU president, said they are disturbed by violence against women, thus the need for stronger legislation to shield women.

Read the story in today's New Vision, whose electronic version you can access HERE.

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10:13 am

Meanwhile, the stage is getting warmed up at Kololo, with invited guests arriving for the event. It is an all-female parade today in honour of the celebration. Already, guests have been treated to a dose of performances, as the arrival of President Yoweri Museveni, the chief guest, is awaited.

It is a sunny morning in Uganda's capital, with temperatures averaging 25 °C, with around 70% humidity. 🌤️

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9:48 am

Breaking gender bias today

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9:37 am

'Gender equality is not an option'

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9:24 am

For this year's celebration, Uganda has adopted the global theme. Here is a message from the Government, presented in a series of tweets in the buildup:

Today, Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Women's Day, which is observed on March 8th every year. On this day, we take stock and highlight the numerous achievements Uganda has registered on the delivery of gender equality and women’s empowerment goals.

The global theme for this year is: Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow. The theme recognizes the contributions of women and girls around the world, who are leading on climate change adaptation, mitigation and response to build a more sustainable future for all.

We adopted the global theme for the national celebration because of the adverse effects that climate change is currently having on the livelihoods of women and girls in Uganda.

We are committed to the implementation of international, regional and national frameworks to address gender equality and climate change. Uganda ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC 2016), which calls for respect for human rights and gender.

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9:17 am

Uplifting and empowering women

The Government says it has "carried out several interventions to help uplift and empower women all over the country through the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP)".

UWEP is an initiative of the Government aimed at improving access to financial services for women and equipping them with skills for enterprise growth, value addition and marketing of their products and services.

More about the programme HERE 🔗



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9:10 am

Uganda's Pioneer Women

In the buildup to today's international celebration of women, New Vision has been celebrating the pioneer women of Uganda, whose work and achievements have inspired not only for millions of Ugandans, but also people beyond:

Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire was the first female Minister of Education . . .

Rebecca Kadaga was the first female Speaker of Parliament . . .

Specioza Wandira Kazibwe was the first African female vice-president . . .

Winnie Byanyima was the first femal aeronautical engineer . . .

Sarah Ntiro was the first female university graduate in East and Central Africa . . .

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9:00 am

Good morning

A happy International Women's Day to all the women of the world. Hello and welcome to today's coverage of the national celebration at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala on this eighth day of March.