Girl guides seek support for better training

The Uganda Girl Guides Association (UGGA) say they are seeking more support to provide better training of girls across the country. The association says its numbers have reached 534,632 members.

The association gets shillings 500 million every year from the Government, which they say is inadequate for all their activities.

UGGA movement advisor Juliana Beziudenhout stresses the urgent need to intensify efforts in training young female leaders to ensure they, in turn, mentor the next generation of girls.

“We need to equip the leaders who will train the young girls in this Uganda of ours," she says.

"Training is the backbone of any association or organisation. We need more funding and support to achieve this."

Beziudenhout, who was addressing delegates at their Elective Annual General Meeting at Nob View Hotel, Ntinda, Kampala city on July 26, 2025, said despite President Yoweri Museveni's continuous support, funding is still insufficient to meet the growing needs of the training programmes.

She spoke fervently about the importance of educating women: "Educate a woman, and you will educate a nation."

Beziudenhout also a private secretary to the President and permanent secretary of the Elderly Group, noted that women are the foundation of strong families and by training them spiritually, physically and economically, can build a more prosperous society.

"The future of Uganda is in the hands of these girls," she said. 

"We have a duty to prepare them to lead our country into a better tomorrow."

Dr Eunice Kateshumbwa, a trainer for the association, echoed the sentiments about the transformative power of guiding programs to enable young girls navigate an ever-challenging world.

Kateshumbwa said the focus is not just on intellectual growth but also on holistic development, encompassing moral, physical, and mental growth.

"We don’t want people who grow up and start begging. We want them to use their hands, their brains, and their skills to support themselves and others," she emphasised, noting the program's commitment to building leadership skills and self-reliance in young girls.

Challenges of growing the movement

However, despite the clear benefits of these programmes, UGGA faces a host of challenges in its mission to grow and expand its reach, especially at the regional level.
Elsie Namaganda, the regional commissioner for Central Uganda, detailed the struggles her region faces in mobilising resources for guiding activities.

"The region I represent is vast – it spans Luwero, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Kampala, Wakiso, and even stretches to Masaka and Lwengo. This makes co-ordination and movement incredibly difficult," she explained.

According to Namaganda, transport and financial constraints are major hurdles, making it hard to organise training camps or meetings, even though the need is great.

"The challenge is the size of the region, coupled with the high costs of transporting delegates. Financing is also an issue, especially when we're asked to facilitate large gatherings for training."

Namaganda, also Luwero Resident District Commissioner, pointed out a critical issue of the disconnect between the Uganda Girl Guides' activities and the national school calendar.

This misalignment, she noted, often forces schools to choose between guiding programs and their academic schedules.

She called for better integration and co-operation from the education ministry to ensure that the guiding activities are in sync with national events, to reduce conflicts and allow greater participation.

Additionally, she raised the issue of resistance from some District Education Officers (DEOs) and the restrictions on collecting membership fees from schools.

Association restrictions

"We are required to raise funds through membership fees, but some schools refuse to pay, citing government restrictions. It’s a challenge that prevents us from sustaining the programme." 

She said, underlining the financial difficulties that continue to impede the growth of guiding for all the regions.

Despite these challenges, she expressed her gratitude for the government’s annual contribution of shillings 500 million, but emphasised that the amount is insufficient for the demands of the Girl Guide programmes.

"We would be very appreciative if the government could increase this contribution and perhaps introduce a transportation pass for the girls to help ease the logistical burdens," Elsie suggested.

About Girl Guides

UGGA is a voluntary organisation that is dedicated to the growth and development of girls and women.

It supports over 10.2m girls and young women across 152 countries to realise their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world under the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

UGGA was registered by the Act of Parliament (The Royal Charter Act) 147 volume 5 on 23rd March 1922.

Guiding in Uganda started in Kabarole district and is active in over 105 districts countrywide.