'We have a stronger army and strong national institutions' — Museveni

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 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday rallied Ugandans to work towards achieving wealth for all in order to deal with the challenges affecting women.

“We are moving well but we must move faster. What we want is wealth for all of us. If we have wealth for all, we shall not be having challenges facing women. We shall not be selling our girls in the form of bride price,” he said.

He made the remarks while officiating at the International Women's Day national celebrations at Boma grounds in the eastern district of Katakwi.

The celebrations were themed around accelerating gender equality through women economic empowerment.

The event was attended by ministers, MPs, diplomats, religious and traditional leaders, among other dignitaries.

Museveni said families with land should use it to fight under-development through calculated commercial agriculture.

“Once families develop, even this issue of women emancipation will not be there. Women emancipation must be organic — not through legislation."

The President also said the much-desired socio-economic transformation can only be achieved through two ways: mass education and getting every adult into the money economy.

“When people are educated, it is much easier to know what to do than when they are not educated. That is why NRM introduced free education in government schools. 

"But the elite group is against free education. The school managers who are not supervised properly by their leaders introduced charges and that is how children drop out of school and some of those who drop out are girls. We are soon introducing a new campaign to enforce free education in schools,” said Museveni.

He further advised the women's movement to ensure free education for all in order to set the girl child free from any impediments.

“To consolidate the emancipation of the girl child, you must insist on the free education in government schools. The rich people can take their children to private schools."

According to Museveni, "if you want the whole society to move, including women, implement the programme of the NRM of working for food and income security with ekibaaro (calculation). Ensure that families get involved in commercial agriculture with ekibaaro, in artisanship and industries, services and ICT. This is the way to empower women and also men".

He said that there may be some residual problems of balancing, but if the whole society has moved progressively, it is very easy to deal with the challenges of women.

“There have been success stories of socio-economic transformation in the country. In the cattle corridor, the families have moved out of poverty because of commercialisation and industrialisation of the dairy sector. 

"In Kalangala, people have moved out of poverty due to the oil palm project and in Bundibugyo people have moved out of poverty because of cocoa, palm oil and coffee growing.”

'Women were capable marksmen'

The President assured the people of Teso that the government will expand the fruit factory in Soroti so that it is able to buy all their citrus. “In addition to citrus, I want to encourage fish and dairy farming, then poultry and those who want pigs can go for them also.”

He commended Vice-President Jessica Alupo for leading an economic war in Teso and acting as a role model for the girl child.

He also spoke of how grateful he feels attending such occasions as International Women’s Day. “When I come for these occasions, I am very happy to see what people were laughing at is now a serious movement.

He talked of the importance of recruiting women in the national forces which never used to be the case like in the 1978/79 war against Idi Amin.

“Following the defeat of Idi Amin, the challenge arose when forming a unified army with other groups, as some undermined the role of women within the military. Nevertheless, we affirmed that women were capable marksmen, dispelling any doubts about their abilities.

"Now you can see all this compound is full of women.

“When you talk about stability now in Uganda, we have a stronger army, strong national institutions, and a strong political party that can win in the first round with more than 60%,” said the NRM chairman.

On the issue of political leadership, he said Uganda is one of the few countries that has embraced women in key leadership positions.

During the celebrations, Museveni signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) aimed at building capacity and supporting women entrepreneurs under the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project.

At least sh9 billion GROW funds was also given out to women in business in the four districts of Katakwi, Kaabong, Lira and Amuria.

During the same event, 53 exemplary Ugandans, including VP Alupo, were awarded for their immense contribution to Uganda. 

Another awardee was Amos Mukisa, who pursued and captured assailants who murdered the Ndiga clan head, Eng. Daniel Bbosa, last month near his home in Lungujja, Rubaga division.

Mukisa was accompanied by his colleague, Abdul Katabaazi with whom they executed the brave mission. Katabaazi was awarded with the Nalubaale medal by President Museveni on March 4 at State House, Entebbe for his bravery in capturing the assailants.

'Biggest beneficiaries of peace, security'

On her part, Alupo praised President Museveni for his dedicated and strategic leadership that has enabled the promotion of women emancipation and empowerment.

She said this year's theme resonates well with the strides the NRM government has made in the inclusivity of women and girls in the development of Uganda.

“The women and girls are the biggest beneficiaries of peace and security you have established in Uganda. Access to education through UPE and USE is the component that has brought the girl children to the limelight that has enabled them to compete favourably with men."

Alupo also noted that the special development programmes put up by the NRM government have enabled women to manage and grow their businesses, thus promoting economic prosperity.

“The NRM government also came up with conducive laws that have enabled women to get protection from abuse," she said.

The VP further pledged to the President that as women, they are committed to continue working with the government to socially and economically transform Uganda. “We do commit to continue extending our support to you in the 2026 elections."

'Affirmative action has paid off'

In her comments, gender and labour minister Betty Amongi said the policies and programmes of the NRM government have supported affirmative action that has promoted women empowerment and emancipation. 

“You have always advised us to focus on tackling the root causes of women disempowerment and emphasise women empowerment," she told the President.

“Affirmative action has paid off. Our mandate as gender ministry has enabled us to focus on programmes that empower women like Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, GROW."

Amongi explained that GROW aims to unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs in Uganda.

The project supports a multi-sectoral programme of customized services that empower women entrepreneurs and transition their enterprises, from micro to small and, from small to medium, as well as improve their productivity.

On her part, gender and culture state minister Peace Mutuuzo told the President: “Your Excellency, as women of Uganda we are privileged to be here with you as we celebrate the contribution of women to the development of Uganda."

“Ugandans are firmly behind you as you take the lead in transforming Uganda," she added.

UN commits to accelerate progress

The UN Resident Coordinator to Uganda, Susan Namondo Ngongi, congratulated the Ugandan government for promoting gender equality and empowerment.

“Uganda's legal framework is really robust in promoting gender equality. We continue to invest in the programmes that really empower women in Uganda. As UN, we remain committed to work with the government of Uganda to accelerate progress in the country."

Austria's Ambassador to Uganda, Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer, represented the development partners in Uganda at the commemoration.

She commended  President Museveni for his strong interest and unwavering support towards promoting gender equality.

“Participation of women in socio-economic transformation is key in inclusive economic growth of the country."

Kerschbaumer, however, noted that there are still some gender gaps in labour force and economic empowerment as well as other challenges like social and cultural norms and gender-based violence that hinder the progress and advancements of women in the country.

“Advancing gender equality is a key priority to achieve equitable growth,” she said.

“Together with the government of Uganda, we are committed to investing in gender equality to ensure that no one is left behind.”

Hajjat Faridah Kibowa, the chairperson of the National Women's Council-Uganda thanked the President for championing women empowerment and emancipation in all spheres of society.

“I can assure you that the women are proud of you, and you remain as our choice in 2026,” she said.

“This year, the National Women's Council celebrates 30 years of existence, and the council produces excellent women capital ready for your deployment any time."

Kibowa, however, decried the existing challenge of gender-based violence in Uganda.

“To deal with this challenge we must advocate for programmes that promote gender equality and women empowerment,” she urged.