Uganda’s 2011 election cycle has seen 120 women join the 9th Parliament in Uganda.This shows an increase of 41% since 2006, in the number of women MPs and other positions including the presidency, according to a survey conducted early this year by the Democracy Monitoring Group, a civil society organization.
According to the survey, 46 women contested for the 237 directly elected seats compared to only 28 who contested for 215 constituencies in the previous general elections. The creation of new districts increased women seats by 73%.
In preparation for the 2011 political transition and the second multi-party elections, ACFODE with support from Konrad Adenaeur Shitftung (KAS), Diakonia and DANIDA under the Women Democracy Group (WDG) conducted a number of activities. These included effective campaign management trainings, consultative meetings with different relevant stakeholders and community/regional dialogues with aspiring women leaders, representatives from different Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and from government bodies.
In this regard, the first quarter of the year (2010) activities implemented were geared towards mobilizing communities to support women in leadership/ participation for the upcoming 2011 elections. A total of 1665 women were trained in different parts of the country.
ACFODE is glad to acknowledge that these efforts were not in vain. A number of these women have succeeded in their campaigns. Notably among these are Joy Ongom, Maliza Opio, Betty Muzanira, Santa Angela, Dinna Bua, Abote Margret, Christine Jibu, Opino Veronica, Nsaba Zeridah and Lillian Oyama.
Joy Ongom, who won the sit for Women Member of Parliament - Lira District noted during an interview that, ‘I credit my victory to ACFODE - a women’s empowerment organization in Uganda which I first encountered in 2006 when I was beginning my career life as a politician. I was at the time contemplating to contest for Counselor - Lira Sub-county, had issues of low self esteem. To address this, I attended a training organized by ACFDOE in Lira town. I was trained along with other aspiring women leaders from Gulu and Kitgum districts about effective campaign strategies. ACFODE’s exposure has been very encouraging for me. I applaud ACFODE for the good work and I pray that she continues with such activities, geared towards empowering grass-root women socially, politically and economically.
Maliza Opio, the District Woman Councilor Pallisa district also credited ACFODE for her success. During an interview, she urged that it’s the skills she acquired from ACFODE’s women leadership training that helped her to design an effective campaign manifesto which led to her road to success.
Our heart felt congratulations go out to all women who won the elections. You must be very happy after having put in so much hard work and dedication. It was your sincere devotion and perseverance that helped you get through the whole electoral process with flying colors. ACFODE congratulates you and wishes you the very best. Your achievement is an example to all women in Uganda and world over. We appreciate your outstanding performance as you have proven your skeptics wrong by achieving the impossible.
And always remeber that ''Leadership is not about power, its about changing lives''
Submitted By Sandra Nassali
Public Relations & Communications Officer
Action For Development
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