Kasya, Uganda’s only woman LC 5 boss
WHEN President Yoweri Museveni visited Kanungu last month, he hailed the district authorities for performing better than most districts he had visited. The President was impressed by the good state of the roads in the district. This was a plus for women leaders, since Kanungu is the only district in
By Joshua Kato
WHEN President Yoweri Museveni visited Kanungu last month, he hailed the district authorities for performing better than most districts he had visited. The President was impressed by the good state of the roads in the district. This was a plus for women leaders, since Kanungu is the only district in Uganda that is led by a woman.
There is something about Josephine Kasya that makes her stand out.
Kanungu has had its share of problems. It is where Kibwetere killed hundreds of Christians in an inferno in 2000. It is also where the Interahamwe rebels from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) killed several tourists. Because of that, Kanungu is known internationally, but that did not kill the people’s spirit. There was light at the end of the tunnel — Kasya.
Kasya is one of the most respected LC5 leaders because she challenges many men.
Kanungu is located in south-western Uganda. It borders DRC, Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro. Like most rural areas, the residents are mainly peasant farmers and cattle keepers. When it became a district in July 2001, it had many challenges, but Kasya was not afraid to take on the task.
“Every human being is a politician by nature,†she says. Kasya says she joined politics through the women’s affirmative action.
Her leadership journey
“I started at the lowest units in 1989 and moved to the sub-county level,†she says. In 1992, she joined the district as a woman councillor.
“My performance was good. I was among the best performers in the council,†she says. In 1994, she contested for the Rukungiri district Constituent Assembly seat, but lost to Winnie Matsiko.
Kasya did not give up. In 1998, she become the vice-chairperson of Rukungiri.
“When Kanungu became a district in 2001, I moved to the district as acting chairperson,†she says.
In 2001, Kasya was appointed acting chairperson for six months until the elections were held. She contested for the seat and sailed through unopposed.
In 2006, she contested for the seat again together with a Forum for Democratic Change candidate and she won. “People had already seen my performance so they voted for me,†she says.
Kasya says she will contest for her final term in 2011. When she retires in 2016, she hopes to do work for the church.
“The church should not keep raising funds from the congregation. They should set up their projects to act as sources of income. That will be my pre-occupation when I retire,†she says. Kasya also hopes to work with women development groups countrywide.
It has not been smooth. “There are those who challenge you on the basis that you are a woman, thinking such positions are meant for men,†she says.
“I lead a powerful team. We listen to the people and get their priorities. We do what people require of us because we are only their leaders.â€
WHEN President Yoweri Museveni visited Kanungu last month, he hailed the district authorities for performing better than most districts he had visited. The President was impressed by the good state of the roads in the district. This was a plus for women leaders, since Kanungu is the only district in Uganda that is led by a woman.
There is something about Josephine Kasya that makes her stand out.
Kanungu has had its share of problems. It is where Kibwetere killed hundreds of Christians in an inferno in 2000. It is also where the Interahamwe rebels from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) killed several tourists. Because of that, Kanungu is known internationally, but that did not kill the people’s spirit. There was light at the end of the tunnel — Kasya.
Kasya is one of the most respected LC5 leaders because she challenges many men.
Kanungu is located in south-western Uganda. It borders DRC, Rukungiri, Kabale and Kisoro. Like most rural areas, the residents are mainly peasant farmers and cattle keepers. When it became a district in July 2001, it had many challenges, but Kasya was not afraid to take on the task.
“Every human being is a politician by nature,†she says. Kasya says she joined politics through the women’s affirmative action.
Her leadership journey
“I started at the lowest units in 1989 and moved to the sub-county level,†she says. In 1992, she joined the district as a woman councillor.
“My performance was good. I was among the best performers in the council,†she says. In 1994, she contested for the Rukungiri district Constituent Assembly seat, but lost to Winnie Matsiko.
Kasya did not give up. In 1998, she become the vice-chairperson of Rukungiri.
“When Kanungu became a district in 2001, I moved to the district as acting chairperson,†she says.
In 2001, Kasya was appointed acting chairperson for six months until the elections were held. She contested for the seat and sailed through unopposed.
In 2006, she contested for the seat again together with a Forum for Democratic Change candidate and she won. “People had already seen my performance so they voted for me,†she says.
Kasya says she will contest for her final term in 2011. When she retires in 2016, she hopes to do work for the church.
“The church should not keep raising funds from the congregation. They should set up their projects to act as sources of income. That will be my pre-occupation when I retire,†she says. Kasya also hopes to work with women development groups countrywide.
It has not been smooth. “There are those who challenge you on the basis that you are a woman, thinking such positions are meant for men,†she says.
“I lead a powerful team. We listen to the people and get their priorities. We do what people require of us because we are only their leaders.â€