Support leaders with integrity, Matembe advises

 

 

Matembe said the country is still facing many challenges as a result of leaders who do not care about the concerns of the public.

 

"Ugandans should start choosing people with integrity; committed to serve public interests," she said.

 

She made the remarks while officiating at the closure of the 24th third session of the Alternative and Transformative Training for young women leaders at Foyer De Charite in Namugongo, Wakiso. The 10 day residential training was organised by the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), to empower women through various skills to lift their voices and live sustainable lives.

 

Matembe, a renown women rights activist and one of the founders of FOWODE, said it is high time women rose up to save the country from the hands of ‘greedy' leaders.

 

"Some women holding leadership positions in the country are a disgrace to the women. They never stick to their position. They never stand  their ground to defend the truth. We want to have new women leaders with integrity and ready to serve the country," he added.

 

She stressed that despite gender activism taking centre stage, women still trail their male counterparts at all levels in leadership.

 

She said there is a need for a new breed of young women to take up leadership positions so as to promote good governance and women issues.

 

Matembe appreciated FOWODE, saying the training encourages young women to aspire for leadership right from their localities to national level.

 

The camp attracted 30 young women from various districts of Uganda including Amuria, Gulu, Kabale, Kampala, Kamuli, Kanungu, Buyende, Kapchorwa, Mukono, Rakai, Masaka, and Lira among others.

 

"This is good for the future of our country. Leadership and development in the modern world cannot be left to men alone. Women involvement is a must for good governance, social and economic welfare for citizens," Matembe added.

 

She noted that women will continue to face challenges as long as they are not part of the decision making the process at various levels, where policies are influenced.

 

She emphasized the need for young women to rise up against bad customary and traditional norms, economic dependency and fear.

 

The FOWODE program director Women and Leadership, Elizabeth Ampairwe, said the camp aims at expanding on the pool of transformative and alternative leaders in the country.

 

The participants were equipped with skills in social and business entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence and communication skills. They also covered other subjects which include; gender, governance and alternative leadership, feminism in Africa, gender and development, gender budgeting, conflict and human rights, the making of Uganda, me and my community, Africa women history, gender culture and sexuality.