Note: this list is notable for the absence of any lesbian human rights activists. However, Prof. Sylvia Tamale, listed, is very pro-gay and has co-authored a book about homosexuality in Uganda: ‘Homosexuality: Perspectives from Uganda’.
Ugandan women have steadily come of age, claiming a comfortable place at the high tables of governance, politics, business, sport and even the spiritual arena. New Vision explores a list of 50 such women, in no particular order.
Janet Museveni: As first lady in the last 25 years she has found her niche in fighting for children, youth and women’s rights, especially related to HIV/AIDS. Now MP and minister her influence has grown more. She also has clout among African first ladies.
Betty Bigombe – Has won international and national awards for her efforts to bring the government and Lord’s Resistance Army rebels to peace talks. She bravely met rebels in the 1990s and in 2004. She also worked with African Development Bank and World Bank She is now a parliamentarian and state minister
Joyce Mpanga: One of the first women in the Uganda National Assembly in 1960 she was a legislator in two later parliaments. As minister for women and development in 1987, she helped to improve the status of women in politics and employment. She headed the NGO Board and remains active in women’s rights.
Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe: The first female vice president in Africa, and also served as a minister and MP. She recently is chairperson Microfinance Suport Centre.
Rebecca Kadaga: The first female speaker of the parliament of Uganda she was also a long serving deputy speaker and is a power-broker in Busoga. The lawyer has won admiration for her steering of the 9th parliament
Miria Matembe: Former MP and Minister of Ethics and Integrity from 1998 to 2003, she was an outspoken about gender rights, corruption and political hypocrisy. She has stayed true to her views through the years.
Winnie Byanyima: she was the first aeronautical engineer in Uganda, but most of her influence was as a politician and anti-corruption voice. She works for the UN in New York.
Amelia Kyambadde: The minister of Trade and industry and MP was a powerful private secretary to the president for a long time.
Elizabeth Bagaya: The princess of Toro kingdom registered many firsts, with her law degree from Cambridge and international modelling. As roving ambassador between 1971 and 1973 and minister of foreign affairs in 1974. She soon opted for exile, but her work gave Uganda a different face on the international scene during difficult times. She was also ambassador to the UN from 1986 to 1988 and to the Vatican from 2006.
Rhoda Kalema: One of the earliest female legislators, she has remained an icon of the women’s movement in Uganda.
Justice Julia Sebutinde: Now a judge at the International Criminal Court, She chaired commissions of inquiry into corrupt organisations.
Lady Justice Laeticia Kikonyogo: retired judge of the Supreme Court, she was deputy chief justice and an inspiration to aspiring female lawyers.
Dr. Hilda Tadria: Local and international gender and development specialist and former lecturer of sociology at Makerere.
Nabagereka Sylvia Naginda: The queen of Buganda is a role model for women and she promotes girl child education and culture.
Victoria Sekitoleko: An agriculturalist, politician, and former minister of agriculture in from 1986 to 1995, she has worked with Food and Agricultural Organisation.
Prof. Mary Nakandha Okwakol: The botany and zoology professor has lectured since 1974 and was appointed the first Vice Chancellor of Busitema University in 2009.
Dr. Sylvia Tamale:(http://www.anngarrison.com/content/the-politics-of-homosexuality-in-africa-dr-sylvia-tamale-at-the-university-of-san-francisco) A gender and human rights activist, former dean of Makerere University (MUK) Law School who passes on her values, not only as a lecturer, but also as an author and speaker.
Prof. Joy Kwesiga: The Kabale University vice chancellor was key in the running of the gender department at MUK. She was part of the team that spearheaded a female scholarship initiative that helped many disadvantaged girls gain university education.
Late Gladys Wambuzi: As a long-serving teacher in several primary schools and later head of Green Hill schools, many people crediting their success to her when she died in 2005.
Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda: Pioneer tutor and later head of the Food Science and Technology Department at MUK, she has seen growth in size, influence and innovation.
Dr. Sarah Ntiro: There is no doubting the 60-year influence of the first woman to get a university degree in Uganda. As an educator, she has mentored young women to value education and there is an annual lecture and award in her honour.
Prof. Victoria Mwaka: She lectured at MUK since 1976 and went on to head the geography department. She started the gender and women studies department which has contributed greatly to women’s empowerment.
Mary Karooro Okurut: Now a politician and party spokesperson, she was a lecturer of literature, author and FEMRITE founder, inspiring many women to become writers and win international writers’ prizes.
Dr. Margaret Mungherera: Besides her work in mental health, she also advocates for medical workers’ rights. She also raises awareness on alcohol abuse.
Dr. Lydia Mungherera: Her openness in tackling issues of HIV/AIDS has made a mark, not just in Uganda but in other parts of the world where she has spoken and helped with policy issues.
Dr. Grace Nambatya: Her influence is in herbal medicine research and regularisation. She heads the Government Chemotherapeutic Research Laboratories.
Dr. Hanifa Bachou: The senior nutritionist at Mulago Hospital is at the forefront of devising good feeding for vulnerable children and HIV infected people.
Noerine Kaleeba: Over 20 years ago, she founded The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) to help HIV positive people live a wholesome life. The TASO model has been adopted in many countries. She has received man awards for her efforts.
Dr Maggie Kigozi: For over a decade, she headed Uganda Investment Authority wooing investors and notably convinced Ugandans in the diaspora. She has been Chancellor of Nkumba University among other roles.
Adyeeri Omalla: she started Delight Industries Limited and has built a competent company producing quality drinks, bakery products, employing and inspiring many.
Josephine Okot: The proprietor of Victoria Seeds Company she received continental and national awards for her efforts to improve livelihoods of rural women through availing better seeds
Sylvia Owori: She changed the way Ugandan women see themselves in the last 20 years. Before she burst onto the scene with her modelling agency and fashion house, modeling and certain clothes were taboo. She organised
Miss Uganda pageant and started African Woman magazine.
Allen Kagina: The Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority helped turn around the tax body’s reputation of corruption to one of efficiency. She is highly respected in the corporate world and in Christian circles.
Tereza Mbire: She inspires many with her story of hard work and business spanning four decades. She is also chairperson of Uganda Women’s Entrepreneurship Association Limited.
Maria Kiwanuka: The first Ugandan woman to own two radio stations, Radio One and Akaboozi. Her solid business acumen has kept the stations afloat amidst hot competition. She is now finance minister.
Peninah Kabenge: The Uganda Olympic Committee secretary recently received international recognition for her efforts in promoting women sports. She has left a mark in athletics, women’s basketball and woodball. She is senior sports tutor at Makerere University’s Institute of Sports Science.
Rebecca Kavulu: As netball player, coach instructor, umpire and administrator, she has played a big role in the women’s sport for over three decades. She has served in various capacities on both local and international netball associations.
Hellen Buteme: Uganda women’s rugby would not be where it is without her efforts. She captained and later coached the Lady Cranes team that played in the Women’s Rugby Sevens World Cup in 2009.
The late Mama Baker: Before her death in 2005, Express FC and the national football team could rely on this woman for her cheer-leading stamina. For over 30 years, Rebecca Namyalo Kazibwe led fans in cheering the teams. Many women gained interest in football because of her.
Catherine Adipo Wejuli: A ladies’ volleyball champion, she has been a local football referee since 1989 and from 1995 when she got a FIFA badge, she officiated at Africa Women Championships before retiring in 2006. She is a referees instructor and teaches at Kyambogo University Sports Science department.
Late Margaret Bisereko Ayo: A track and field athlete, she played basketball, netball, handball and volleyball and umpired in the latter three sports. A silver medalist at the 1978 All Africa Games, she coached the She Cranes and Umeme netball team. She died recently.
Late Violet Kalisa: A netball star in the 1960s, she chaired Uganda Netball Association for 13 years and had key roles in local sports bodies since the 1980s.
Rev. Diana Nkesiga: The vicar at All Saints’ Cathedral was ordained in South Africa and returned to a congregation that fell in love with her simple devotion to God. She is much-sought after to officiate at weddings and champions many community outreach programmes at the church.
Nakayima: The ancient priestess of the Cwezi Kingdom held power over a large area of central southwest Uganda, parts of Tanzania and Rwanda. She owned large herds of cattle and divined over the political kingdoms in the area. Her shrine in Mubende still draws loyalists today.
Sylvia Namutebi: Also known as Mama Fina, since she was elected head of traditional healers, she has been on a public relations drive, donating cars and cash to many, including would-be critics like priests and pastors and politicians.
Fiona Mukasa: One of the first gospel singers to have national crossover appeal, she opened doors for the gospel singers who would follow in her footsteps.
Source – New Vision
