Today in History: Matembe wins woman seat

UGANDA'S HISTORY

On June 22, 1996, Miria Matembe won the Mbarara woman parliamentary seat. The elections were the first time in Uganda's history that women were getting representation in Parliament.

Results showed Miria Matembe had won the Mbarara woman parliamentary seat polling 14, 517 votes ahead of her close rival, Margaret Kiboijana who polled 13, 465.

Among other winners in the polls were, the Minister of State for Animal Industry and Fisheries Mrs Joan Rwabyomere who trounced her rival Alice Turyahikayo and the Minister of State for Labour and Social Affairs Mrs Betty Okwir, who won the Lira seat by a narrow margin.

On June 20, 1996, women councils, LC2 and LC3 went to the polls under the electoral colleges. The composition of electoral colleges was a cause of serious controversy in some districts as candidates accused rivals of manipulating the electoral colleges to their advantage by hurriedly filling up vacant posts in the women and local councils with supporters.

 This was the first time in Uganda's history, women representation in parliament was incorporated in elections by affirmative action policy.