KYANKWANZI .President Museveni has reiterated that empowering women has been a deliberate focus of his administration since the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) came into power 39 years ago.
“I want to thank the Ambassador of Sweden for admitting that Uganda is more democratic than many of the European countries, and this is what we have been telling them because for us, it was an ideology from the beginning. When we were empowering women, it was deliberate. When we defeated Idi Amin in 1979, I recruited women for our FRONASA. But when it came to the integration, our other partners in the system refused to absorb our women, and they had to be dismissed and go home. We brought them back when we were in charge now in 1986, when we were able to admit them in the army,” Mr Museveni said.
The President, who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister for Education Ms Janet Museveni, made the remarks on Saturday, March 8, 2025, while officiating at the International Women’s Day celebrations held at Bukwiri Village in Kyankwanzi District.
The day was celebrated under the theme “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality,” which calls for bold and strategic interventions towards a gender-equal future.
President Museveni’s comments were triggered by a speech delivered by the Ambassador of Sweden to Uganda, Her Excellency Maria Håkansson, who recognized Uganda’s significant progress in achieving the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and recognised that women’s rights are human rights.
“In Uganda, women’s leadership and economic empowerment have expanded, and legal frameworks have been strengthened to protect women and girls, and Uganda is one of the countries in the sub region that other nations are learning from. We commend the government of Uganda for its commitment to advancing gender equality, and we see the progress in increasing women’s representation in leadership,
Ambassador Håkansson said, adding that Sweden is still way behind Uganda when it comes to women representatives in political positions.
“So, I’m glad the Ambassador of Sweden set the record straight by saying that Uganda has made more progress in some areas than many of the European countries,” Mr Museveni said, while referring to Ambassador Håkansson as one of the few truthful individuals.
The President, however, advocated for the emancipation of the whole society through free education, which was introduced in Uganda in 1997.
“We have moved very well, but we could have moved even more if we had implemented initiatives including free government education. We brought free education to government schools through USE and UPE, but some local people ask learners for money at those schools.
If that one had worked, many girls would have gone through education without being interrupted,” he said, while emphasizing empowerment roots such as wealth creation through various government programmes and the technical skills offered in the presidential skilling centers across the country.
About the environment, President Museveni blamed the long dry spell on mistakes by some individuals who encroach on the natural resources. He discouraged activities such as deforestation and wetland encroachment, which contribute to environmental degradation.
“Damaging the environment will cause us a massive catastrophe. And you can see how harsh this dry season is. It is not only here; it is in other parts of Africa, but I think it is accentuated by the damaged environment here because, normally, although there is bad weather, normally, here we get our local relief because of the local water bodies,” he said
On the other hand, the minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, underscored the importance of affirmative action as crucial in motivating young girls to pursue their education.
The Chairperson of the National Women Council Hajjat Faridah Kibowa reported the persisting challenges, such as gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, female genital mutilation, and child marriages, which undermine the gains made in terms of women’s empowerment.
“It is important that these issues are addressed to further advance gender equality in Uganda,” she said.
At the same occasion, President Museveni issued dummy cheques to several beneficiary groups, the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), a government initiative aimed at enhancing women’s access to financial services and equipping them with skills for enterprise growth, value addition, and marketing of their products and services.
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, was among the notable Ugandans who were awarded medals for exceptional service.
Rebecca Kadaga has had a distinguished political career, serving as Uganda’s first female Speaker of Parliament from 2011 to 2021. She has been an advocate for women’s rights and has held various ministerial positions.
Earlier, the gathering witnessed an 8-guard all-women parade whose structure was commanded by Col. Suzan Mwanga, assisted by 2i/C Maj. Miriam Apio and parade Adjutant Capt. Marion Alum, while the colour party was under the command of Capt. Jackline Namasaba.
International Women’s Day has its origins in the struggle by women for social change and to be able to participate on equal terms with men in social, political, and economic processes. In 1975, the United Nations (UN) declared an International Women’s Year and recognized March 8th as a day upon which all member states should recognize and honor women.
International Women’s Day was first celebrated in Uganda on 8th March, 1984, at State House Entebbe, and since then this remarkable day has been commemorated and celebrated every year.