First Lady Janet Museveni lauds women clergy in leadership

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The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Kataaha Museveni, has commended female clergy for their role in Uganda's spiritual and social transformation.

Mrs. Museveni officially opened the 11th Provincial Women Clergy Conference of the Church of Uganda at Kyebambe Girls' Secondary School in Fort Portal City on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

The biannual conference, themed "Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded" (Hebrews 10:35–37), brought together women clergy from all 39 dioceses of the Church of Uganda.

Mrs. Museveni praised the women clergy for their commitment to ministry and leadership, encouraging them to continue mentoring younger women, strengthening Sunday school ministries, and embracing values-based leadership that upholds stewardship, accountability, and service to both God and country.

She particularly saluted the pioneering women who paved the way for female leadership in the Church—some during a time when it was culturally and ecclesiastically unprecedented.

"You stand on the shoulders of gender-sensitive clergy who, against all odds, made the bold choice to challenge the status quo of a male-dominated clergy and advocated for the need to have women clergy in the Church. As you walk in their footsteps, may you continue the good work that they began, by working together to empower other women to embrace leadership in their various spheres of influence,"  she said according to a release from her office.

The First Lady also urged the women clergy to remain confident as they prayerfully and humbly seek God's guidance in addressing systemic barriers to women's leadership participation.

"Opportunities such as this provide a platform for collaboration and a collective voice to bring new perspectives that promote positive change in the communities where the Lord has called you to serve, as well as in the Church, where the concept of women in pastoral vocations is still relatively an uncommon phenomenon," she said.

Expressing concern over the limited number of well-resourced and equipped Sunday School Ministries in the countryside, the First Lady urged women in Church Leadership to promote the future of the Church through functional Sunday Schools.

These she said should be attached to every Church, especially in the rural areas where this Ministry has not been well developed.

Relatedly, The First Lady launched the Church of Uganda Clergy Women's Center and Girls' Skills Development Project to which she contributed sh 50m.

The project, to be located on a 10-acre site in Ngogwe, Mukono District, will feature different units. These are : a home for retired and unmarried clergy women, a girls' skills development center for girls and conference facilities. 

The project aims to empower women through vocational training, sustainable activities like agriculture and livestock, and community development programs. The entire project is estimated to cost at sh1.65b. 

Her office reports that Mrs. Museveni commended the women for promoting grassroots economic empowerment, and environmental conservation through tree planting and public awareness campaigns, and advocating for children living with disabilities.

Rev. Canon Prof. Olivia Nassaka Banja—Chairperson of the Women Clergy Fellowship and Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University—reported that the Church of Uganda Women Clergy Fellowship has over 400 ordained members and continues growing in strength and influence. 

Members serve as priests, chaplains, educators, and institutional heads, with some reaching senior leadership roles, including Rev. Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye (Provost of All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero ), Rev. Canon Dr. Joy Mukisa (Dean, Bugembe Cathedral), and Rev. Dr. Edidah Mujinya, a former university vice chancellor.

Calling on the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to provide scholarships Banja noted that financial constraints prevent some clergy women from pursuing advanced theological education despite receiving admission offers.

The scholarships she added, will unlock their potential.

Bishop Reuben Kisembo of Rwenzori Diocese thanked the Government for its socio-economic and infrastructural development initiatives and for elevating women's status in Uganda.

He requested additional education sector resources, particularly for post-primary institution staffing, citing significant personnel gaps. 

He also urged Ugandans to reject selfishness, greed, and the misuse of public funds so that taxes benefit all citizens.

The Minister of State for Local Government and Woman MP for Kabarole District, along with the Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Margaret Muhanga, MP for Burahya, encouraged women clergy to complement their spiritual work with income-generating activities.

Richard Rwabuhinga, the LC5 Chairman of Kabarole District, thanked the Minister of Education for local developments, including Mountains of the Moon University's elevation to public status, Uganda Technical College Kicwamba's reconstruction into a Centre of Excellence, and the construction of Seed Schools.

He advocated  for an increased wage bill to enable teacher recruitment for  more primary and secondary schools. 

He also advocated for phasing in the new TVET Policy to allow existing governing councils to complete their terms and avoid legal challenges.

Ruth Namanya Kwesiga, Headteacher of Kyebambe Girls' Secondary School, presented ongoing projects, including a bakery and sports facilities, and requested additional support from the Ministry of Education.

"We are teaching our girls to work with their heads, hearts, and hands," she said. 

"We thank the First Lady for her support and for championing a curriculum that prepares learners for the real world."