Women shun their day
THE belated Women’s Day celebrations in Jinja district ended prematurely after women leaders walked away protesting what they called poor organisation.
By Charles Kakamwa
THE belated Women’s Day celebrations in Jinja district ended prematurely after women leaders walked away protesting what they called poor organisation.
Led by Buwenge town council LC3 vice-chairperson Aisha Kagoya, they stormed out of Busoga Square before the chief guest, Jane Alisemera Babiiha (Bundibugyo Woman MP), arrived at 4:00pm.
They accused the chief organiser, Ruth Tuma (Jinja Woman MP), of keeping them hungry for ‘the whole day’.
“We haven’t eaten anything since morning. She cannot even sacrifice mineral water for these women who are her grassroot mobilisers,†remarked Kagoya who led a group of 34 women leaders from Buwenge town council.
They claimed Tuma failed to honour her promise to transport them back to Buwenge, about 25kms from Jinja town.
However, Tuma denied promising to transport them back home.
“I have not been around and never pledged to transport you. It is your day, which you should feel proud of to sacrifice a few coins to come and celebrate.†Leaders, including the resident district commissioner, Christopher Bagonza, tried to calm the enraged women in vain.
When Babiiha arrived, she offered to take them home using her vehicle but they instead hired an omnibus.
“I was going to provide fuel so they could take them back but they refused, what else could I do?†Babiiha said as she boarded her vehicle to leave for Kampala.
She never delivered her speech because the majority of the people had left.
Earlier, Tuma commended the Government for emancipating women.
“We are grateful that a number of women are in high-ranking positions but we need more. We are capable of being prime ministers,†she said.
Bagonza said one of NRM’s goals was to mainstream women in everything, including economic and political circles.
THE belated Women’s Day celebrations in Jinja district ended prematurely after women leaders walked away protesting what they called poor organisation.
Led by Buwenge town council LC3 vice-chairperson Aisha Kagoya, they stormed out of Busoga Square before the chief guest, Jane Alisemera Babiiha (Bundibugyo Woman MP), arrived at 4:00pm.
They accused the chief organiser, Ruth Tuma (Jinja Woman MP), of keeping them hungry for ‘the whole day’.
“We haven’t eaten anything since morning. She cannot even sacrifice mineral water for these women who are her grassroot mobilisers,†remarked Kagoya who led a group of 34 women leaders from Buwenge town council.
They claimed Tuma failed to honour her promise to transport them back to Buwenge, about 25kms from Jinja town.
However, Tuma denied promising to transport them back home.
“I have not been around and never pledged to transport you. It is your day, which you should feel proud of to sacrifice a few coins to come and celebrate.†Leaders, including the resident district commissioner, Christopher Bagonza, tried to calm the enraged women in vain.
When Babiiha arrived, she offered to take them home using her vehicle but they instead hired an omnibus.
“I was going to provide fuel so they could take them back but they refused, what else could I do?†Babiiha said as she boarded her vehicle to leave for Kampala.
She never delivered her speech because the majority of the people had left.
Earlier, Tuma commended the Government for emancipating women.
“We are grateful that a number of women are in high-ranking positions but we need more. We are capable of being prime ministers,†she said.
Bagonza said one of NRM’s goals was to mainstream women in everything, including economic and political circles.