Matembe asks people to support leaders with integrity

The Former Ethics Minister, Dr. Miria Matembe has raised concern over the increasing moral degeneration in the country.

Matembe notes that the country was still facing many challenges as a result of leaders who do not care about 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.

10-day residential training was organised by Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) aimed at empowering women through various skills to lift their voices and live sustainable lives.

Some of the youth who participated in the Young Women Leadership training camp posing for a photo with the former Ethics Minister Dr. Miria Matembe.(Credit: Jeff Andrew Lule)

Matembe, a renowned women rights activist and one of the founders of FOWODE, said it is high time women rise 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 on their ground to defend the truth. We want to have new women leaders with integrity and ready to serve the country," she 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 need for a new breed of young women to take up leadership positions so as to promote good governance and women issues.

The Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) Program Director Women and Leadership, Elizabeth Ampairwe speaking at the closure of the third session of the 24th Young Women's Camp.(Credit: Jeff Andrew Lule)

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

The camp attracted thirty 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 process at various levels, where policies are formulated.

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

Some of the participants doing fashion modeling at the event.(Credit: Jeff Andrew Lule)

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

"The kind of leadership we have seems to be wealth and power-centered. Now we are trying to rise a new generation of leaders, who are selfless and going to be people-centered, ready to prioritise the needs of the people. We believe these are future leaders who are going to take up various positions."

 "We want a leadership that is accountable to its citizens who can advance women rights, foster accountable leadership and effectively participate in all aspects of political, economic and social life," she added.

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 and culture.