Men have always been the centre of discussion and in this case therefore, all the applauds are always directed to them, singling women and their efforts due to gender discrimination from laws, institutions and behavioral patterns.
Despite all this, Uganda as the Pearl of Africa, managed to produce women representatives that til date, have lived exemplary and therefore proved that what a man can do, a woman can do better. Below is the list of the top most influential women of substance in the history of Uganda.
1. Amelia Kyambade
Born on 30th June 1955, full names Amelia Anne Kyambadde is a Ugandan politician, philanthropist, woman activist and Senior Presidential advisor on Industry to the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
She has played a significant role as the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in the Ugandan government engaging in Industrial development together with cooperative societies. Kyambadde has steadily advocated for women empowerment hence dedicated her efforts to addressing gender equality issues and therefore championed initiatives to elevate the social-economic status of women in Uganda.
2. Joyce Mpanga
The late Joyce Rovincer Mpanga was born on 22nd January 1934 and died on 18th November 2023 was a Ugandan politician, member of the Lukiiko from 2009, she was the minister of women in development from 1988 to 1989 and the Minister of State for Primary Education from 1989 to 1992.
Among her legacies includes the fact that she is credited for the initiation of the affirmative action to admit female students at Makerere University in Kampala and subsequently at other public Universities. Being a National Council woman member, Joyce also advocated for women’s representation in parliament and lower councils.
3. Jane Ruth Aceng
A Ugandan Politician and Pediatrician, she is the Minister of Health in the Ugandan cabinet who formerly served as the Director General of Medical Services in the Ugandan Ministry of Health from 2011 to 2016.
Jane Ruth Aceng champions community Health improvement and through her advocacy, Dr. Ruth Aceng underscores Uganda’s commitment to primary health care thus employing a comprehensive approach that integrated research and clinical perspectives to ensure inclusivity in advancing healthcare.
4. Miria Matembe
Full names, Miria Rukoza Koburunga Matembe is a Ugandan politician, lawyer gender equality advocate and member of the Pan-African Parliament for Uganda.
Miria Matembe has since childhood dedicated herself to fighting for gender equality. She however contributed in the Constituent Assembly in Uganda and therefore played a significant role in shaping the 1995 constitution with every clause concerning women benefiting from her input. She also spearheaded initiatives to build ethical standards and cub corruption in Uganda.
5. Rosemary Seninde
Rosemary Nansubuga Sseninde is a Ugandan politician, educator and was the State Minister for Primary Education in the Ugandan cabinet for a period of five years.
She is also a women’s rights advocate who actively worked to enhance women’s representation in the Ugandan government hence paving way for future generations of women aspiring to leadership roles in the country.
6. Betty Oyella Bigombe
A Ugandan politician who served as a senior Director for fragility, conflict and violence at the World Bank from 2014 to 2017.
Betty, plays a significant role in resolving conflicts in Uganda particularly in facilitating peace talks the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army. She holds a position at the African Development Bank and the World Bank as a senior social scientist ficusing on gender, conflict, discernment and child soldiers, Betty Bigombe has been a driving force in development.
7. Winnie Byanyima
Wife to Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, Winnie Byanyima is aeronautical engineer, politician and diplomat. She is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and the deputy general of the United Nations.
However, for over three decades, Winnie Byanyima has been an advocate for marginalized communities and women empowerment. She also among others, played a significant role in developing the protocol in the rights of women in Africa in 2004.
8. Rebbecca Kadaga
Establishing herself as one of the highest ranking women in Ugandan politics, Rebecca Kadaga is a prominent politician who held position of Speaker of Parliament if Uganda for a period of 12 years.
She established a legal practice, dubbed M/S Kadaga and Co. Advocates in 1964 and as an advocate for Human rights she has continuously been a pivot to championing women’s rights, youth emancipation and the pursuit of social and economic justice. Kadaga has therefore shaped the country’s legal and political landscape.
9. The late Sarah Nyendwoha Ntiro
She was a Ugandan Educator, activist and academic who is believed to have achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the first female University Graduate in East and Central Africa through obtaining a bachelor’s degree of Arts in History from Oxford University in 1954.
She passed on in 2018 at the age of 92 years.
10. Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe
Appointed by the President H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the first female Vice President, she made history in 1994 which made her the first woman to bare such a significant position in the whole of Africa.
Apart from her political career, Specioza is also a surgeon who established the African Women’s Committee on Peace and Development in 1998 whose mission is generally to facilitate women’s active participation in peace and development processes across the African continent.
All these women have played a huge role in holding the Ugandan flag at it’s highest peak not only in East Africa but also Africa at large, Internationally and Globally.
