KISUULE PRIMARY SCHOOL TAKES GOLD

Kisuule Primary School jubilated for about 30 minutes after they were announced winners at the ACFODE Inter-Primary Silver Jubilee competition held on 18th November 2010. Competing against 4 other schools namely Nakasero, Kitante, Froebel and Ntinda Primary, Kisuule displayed such a high level of drama and song that the 4 adjudicators unanimously awarded them highest marks.
Their play, A New Day, which depicted a female choice for the country’s President, held many interesting interpretations of the theme, The Future of the Women of Uganda. Their song, Mothers of the World, was performed with such alacrity and style and they truly deserved first prize. Coming a close second was Nakasero Primary, then Kitante and Froebel and Ntinda that tied. We congratulate each school and appreciate the ACFODE team that pulled it off.
A huge appreciation to Movit and Crown Beverages who awarded each participant with a prize and the Chief guest, Mr. James Tumusiime who inspired the children to continue with such great show of character. And to Kitante Primary School the hosts, such a warm welcome you gave us.

JUBILEE SYMPOSIUM

ACFODE Symposium dawned on a day like no other. Falling on a public holiday, 16th November, did not deter the ACFODE power house from convening together under one roof to pour out their heartfelt stories, share their amazing testimonies and stir up a new era of women in Uganda and beyond. Founder member Dr. Hilda Tadria, the foremothers Prof. Maxine Ankrah, Hon. Dr. Miria Matembe, Ambassaor Bernadette Olowo-Freers, Maude Mugisha, Prof. Ruth Mukama, steered the symposium with the stunning herstory of ACFODE-25 years ago.

Prof. Maxine Ankrah said,

"Is it time for a new ACFODE? Have we got a new vision? Are we angry enough to change the fore of this nation? I declare ACFODE changed this nation fundamentally. 25 years from now, what will our daughters see?"

Truth be told, ACFODE created a presence that no other organisation has ever done for women. It set a pace with such an incredible force that created platforms for many of the movers and shakers that fill up the political spaces today. Civil societies, NGOs like HURINET, Uganda Debt Network, UWONET, NGO FORUM and Gender Department at Makerere University all look to ACFODE in gratitude for their inception.

Close to a hundred participants at the workshop, from Kampala, Rukungiri, Karamoja, Kabale, Apac, Sironko, Busia and Bukedea took part in this monumental symposium, which marked the secon official day of ACFODE's Silver Jubilee celebrations.

The panel for the youth , under the theme, Embracing the youth in Gender Equality passionately rose to the challenge to continue the journey that the foremothers began. Richard Makumbi, currently with CEDOVIP, said, “When boys/men are excluded from community-based efforts to empower women, women’s lives may improve in the short term, but there will be very little “effect on the overall institutional, societal and structural transformations needed to achieve true gender equality.”

Hon. Dr. Matembe, who formed part of the panel on Transformative politics said that, "Abandonment of a National vision spoilt everything, it all got spoilt when the National vision was personalised."

We are grateful to all panelists, discussantts and participants and to Diakonia, the main sponsors of the event. A great thank you to the ACFODE staff and members for putting it all together.

SILVER JUBILEE MARCH IN PICTURES

MORE ACFODE JUBILEE PICTURES

ACFODE JUBILEE PICTORIAL

The images show an array of pictures from preparatory stage to various events leading to our Silver Jubilee.

KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY TAKES ACFODE INTER-UNIVERSITY DEBATE CROWN

On Saturday 30th October 2010, after a heated two day inter-university debate organised by ACFODE, Kyambogo University took the crown beating UCU Mukono, Kampala University, UMU Nkozi and Makerere University. The debate competitions, the first of their kind in Uganda, uner the British Parliamentary format, generated interesting discussion and arguments.
Participants sweated it out over the two days at Nob View Hotel and the judges who were from National Debate Council and CRY Uganda had a tough time selecting quarter finalists, semi finalists, finalists and the eventual winners.
It was during the inner dance and award giving ceremony that we finally saw Osipo Benjamin and Mulepo Benjamin of Kyambogo University emerging winners.
Second were Oketcho Eddie and Kasolo Sheila of UCU Mukono who won most eloquent speakers.
Third were Karamagi Andrew and Mugarura Eric of UCU again who put up such a good fight. This Naitonal debae experience was proudly sponsoredby Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) who showed interest in sponsoring it annually.