NRM wins four top positions for the National Women Committee
Ann Ruyondo Lumumba won the chairperson position; Agnes Kirabo (vice chairperson), Hope Natukunda (secretary for finance), and Shakila Among Mwenyi (publicity secretary).
The newly elected committee of the National Women committee. From left are the chairperson, Ann Lumumba Ruyondo, vice chairperson, Agnes Nantongo Kirabo, secretary for publicity, Shakila Among Mwenyi and the secretary for finance, Hope Nankunda pose for a group photograph during the election of the new National Women Committee where went through unopposed at Kyambogo on September 04, 2026. (Photos by Ronnie Kijjambu)
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Candidates of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) on September 4, 2026, won all four top leadership positions on the National Women Council (NWC) at Kyambogo College School in Nakawa Division.
Ann Ruyondo Lumumba won the chairperson position; Agnes Kirabo (vice chairperson), Hope Natukunda (secretary for finance), and Shakila Among Mwenyi (publicity secretary).
The participants were declared unopposed by the Electoral Commission (EC) District Administrator in charge of Kampala District, Benjamin Ewal, during the National Women Conference which convened on Friday at Kyambogo College School.
Ewal explained that the fifth position for a secretary to the National Women Committee is recommended by the management of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, while a candidate representing People with Disabilities (PWDs) is chosen among the delegates also recommended by the body representing PWDs.
Delegates from 146 districts countrywide assembled at Kyambogo College for the elections of the NWC.
The Independent candidate, Joy Ruth Acheng, withdrew her chairperson candidature prior to the final declaration "for the good of the women of Uganda."
Acheng, who had been nominated for the position of chairperson on the independent ticket, on Thursday withdrew her candidature before the EC returning officer, Ewal.
She said she had withdrawn her candidature from this race for the good of Ugandan women amidst ululations from the delegates.
The newly elected chairperson of the National Women committee, Ann Lumumba Ruyondo (center back) being congratulated by her supporters after sailing through unopposed during the election of the new National Women Committee at Kyambogo on September 04, 2026. 
“There was no undue influence, nor was I paid any money in exchange for my withdrawal, “ Acheng told the delegates.
Acheng said, “Following wide consultations and deep reflection, I am withdrawing from the race. I do not want to cause division among women or within the NRM party. I call upon all delegates and supporters to work with Ruyondo for women's development countrywide."
“I will not disappoint all the women irrespective of their economic, social, political, religious status.
"You have given me trust, and I won't disappoint you. We promised a lot in our campaigns, and with your support we shall deliver," Ruyondo said while thanking the delegates for the vote.
In an interview with New Vision, the NRM Director of Finance and Administration, Hajjat Medina Naham Ojale, congratulated the incoming executives and asked them to deliver up to their expectations.
“Execute your duties in the National Women Committee to all women irrespective of their ethnicity, political, education, religion and serve them with due diligence,” advised Medina.
Medina outlined the different roles for NWC, including policy lobbying, saying that the committee actively lobbies the government for gender-responsive budgeting, legal protections against gender-based violence, and equitable access to justice and health resources.
Emily Akullu, the program manager at the National Women Council at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said the National Women Conference was last convened in 2018.
“Unlike the five-year tenure for Presidential and Parliamentary, the National Women Committee takes four years only. However, the outgoing executives have amended the tenure and increased it to five years.”
Back ground
Last Wednesday, 2 September 2026, the NRM Electoral Commission declared Ruyondo as a party flagbearer for chairperson of the National Women's Council.
Ruyondo emerged as the winner with 109 votes against incumbent Farida Kibowa, who polled 25 votes.