Powerful women
FOR a long time, women were considered nothing more than household items. But today, things have changed and more women are making headway in their different professions; boldly executing their duties.
FOR a long time, women were considered nothing more than household items. But today, things have changed and more women are making headway in their different professions; boldly executing their duties. Carol Natukunda carried out a survey and brings you the most powerful women in Uganda
Janet Museveni, the First Lady
WIFE to President Yoweri Museveni, Janet is the founder and patron of the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans. Her passion about the plight of widows and orphans has earned her the name “Mama Janet†across the country.
In 2002, she was honoured in Washington with the Global AIDS Leadership Award for her work in the fight against HIV/AIDS and her tireless work for Ugandan orphans.
The Ruhaama MP also surprised many when she said she would contest for Parliament. But she knew better that she was seeking to serve God’s people. She beat the incumbent MP, Augustine Ruzindana, who has since been out of the limelight. In her maiden contribution to Parliament, Janet, a born- again Christian, successfully moved a motion calling for two days of national prayer to rid Uganda of all her problems.
Winnie Byanyima, the director of UNDP gender team, Washington
REMEMBER Winnie? The woman who was a thorn to anybody who stepped in her way? Apparently, she is tough, many say. This outspoken woman is an engineer by profession, a job that was until recently known to be a male domain. And yes, she has a grip on various issues affecting society. It could be politics, gender or development issues. Many declare that she is a “no-nonsense†woman, especially because she always has her facts on the fingertips.
She was formally the Mbarara Woman MP, before she resigned to join the African Union, and now the UN. She is wife to the FDC leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Rebecca Kadaga, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament
HEADING Parliament is not your ordinary 8:00am to 5:00pm job. Leave alone shouting at the stubborn male MPs to “keep order,†in the House, you need to be exceptionally powerful to handle the plenary sessions. Mastering the law and referring to it daily, is what has mainly earned her “marks†as a powerful woman. And competently, she is serving two terms as the deputy speaker.
Justice Faith Mwondha, Inspector General of Government
SO you thought she wouldn’t bite because she is only a woman? Not one bit, not in a million years. Since her appointment in 2005, she has fearlessly exposed cases of corruption, theft and abuse of office. You might be a minister, a politician or maybe a former classmate and friend; but the moment you come under her investigation, your designation ceases to matter. Call her all sorts of names, but she is only and only doing her job — ensuring transparency.
Top 10 Influential female MPs
1. Nabilah Sempala, 35, FDC (Woman Representative, Kampala)
2. Rose Namayanja, 32, NRM (Woman Representative, Nakaseke)
3. Syda Bbumba, 55, NRM (Nakaseke County, Nakaseke), Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Affairs
4. Nampijja Lukyamuzi, 29, CP (Rubaga South, Kampala)
5. Betty Amongi, 32, Independent (Woman Representative, Apac)
6. Kabakumba Masiko, 41, NRM (Bujenje County, Masindi)
7. Munyira Wabwire, 43, NRM (Woman Representative, Busia)
8. Beti Kamya, FDC (Rubaga North, Kampala)
9. Ruth Tuma, 61, NRM (Woman Representative, Jinja)
10. Namirembe Bitamazire, 66, NRM (Woman Representative, Mpigi)
Janet Museveni, the First Lady
WIFE to President Yoweri Museveni, Janet is the founder and patron of the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans. Her passion about the plight of widows and orphans has earned her the name “Mama Janet†across the country.
In 2002, she was honoured in Washington with the Global AIDS Leadership Award for her work in the fight against HIV/AIDS and her tireless work for Ugandan orphans.
The Ruhaama MP also surprised many when she said she would contest for Parliament. But she knew better that she was seeking to serve God’s people. She beat the incumbent MP, Augustine Ruzindana, who has since been out of the limelight. In her maiden contribution to Parliament, Janet, a born- again Christian, successfully moved a motion calling for two days of national prayer to rid Uganda of all her problems.
Winnie Byanyima, the director of UNDP gender team, Washington
REMEMBER Winnie? The woman who was a thorn to anybody who stepped in her way? Apparently, she is tough, many say. This outspoken woman is an engineer by profession, a job that was until recently known to be a male domain. And yes, she has a grip on various issues affecting society. It could be politics, gender or development issues. Many declare that she is a “no-nonsense†woman, especially because she always has her facts on the fingertips.
She was formally the Mbarara Woman MP, before she resigned to join the African Union, and now the UN. She is wife to the FDC leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Rebecca Kadaga, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament
HEADING Parliament is not your ordinary 8:00am to 5:00pm job. Leave alone shouting at the stubborn male MPs to “keep order,†in the House, you need to be exceptionally powerful to handle the plenary sessions. Mastering the law and referring to it daily, is what has mainly earned her “marks†as a powerful woman. And competently, she is serving two terms as the deputy speaker.
Justice Faith Mwondha, Inspector General of Government
SO you thought she wouldn’t bite because she is only a woman? Not one bit, not in a million years. Since her appointment in 2005, she has fearlessly exposed cases of corruption, theft and abuse of office. You might be a minister, a politician or maybe a former classmate and friend; but the moment you come under her investigation, your designation ceases to matter. Call her all sorts of names, but she is only and only doing her job — ensuring transparency.
Top 10 Influential female MPs
1. Nabilah Sempala, 35, FDC (Woman Representative, Kampala)
2. Rose Namayanja, 32, NRM (Woman Representative, Nakaseke)
3. Syda Bbumba, 55, NRM (Nakaseke County, Nakaseke), Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Affairs
4. Nampijja Lukyamuzi, 29, CP (Rubaga South, Kampala)
5. Betty Amongi, 32, Independent (Woman Representative, Apac)
6. Kabakumba Masiko, 41, NRM (Bujenje County, Masindi)
7. Munyira Wabwire, 43, NRM (Woman Representative, Busia)
8. Beti Kamya, FDC (Rubaga North, Kampala)
9. Ruth Tuma, 61, NRM (Woman Representative, Jinja)
10. Namirembe Bitamazire, 66, NRM (Woman Representative, Mpigi)