The Struggle started way back

People should not be misled to think that the women movement started with President Museveni. The women of Uganda had earlier fought for their rights and recognition since the early 1950s. Museveni only created an enabling environment from 1986, Judy Kamanyi says in interview with Harriet Namisi

You have been actively involved in the women movement in Uganda, would you like to share with us some historical facts?

- ‘I will begin by putting the records right. The women movement in Uganda started as far back as the 1940s and early 1950s. This did not start from 1986 as many people have claimed. Ms. Pumula Kisosonkole who was of South African origin led the women at that time. She was also the fi rst woman to be nominated to the Legislative Council. She served for about 2-3 years and encouraged other women to join politics at that level. Mrs. Kisosonkole therefore paved the way for many women like Mrs. Joyce Masembe Mpanga, Florence Lubega, Rebecca Muliira and later Sarah Ntiiro. Later, women from the professional arena emerged too and these included; Mrs. Iris Kigundu, who was also the fi rst Secretary General for Red Cross in Uganda. She worked hard providing humanitarian assistance to Rwandan and later Sudanese refugees in Uganda. Mrs. Kebi Ssewanyana should also be recognized. She was the first African Matron of Mulago hospital between 1962 – 1971.

What exactly prompted women to start agitating for their rights at that time?

- The challenges of domestic discrimination on property inheritance became visible at family level. Mrs. Rebecca Muliira at that time was very instrumental in mobilizing women to demonstrate against unequal treatment of women on inheritance issues. The women even got onto the bus to Entebbe to meet the Governor. These women further presented  their petition to the Legislative Council for action. 

Okello Walther, from Pader trying to make a living in Kampala by mowing laws.

Why then does 1986 sound louder than the actions of women in the 1950s?

- I must mention that I am upset with the current women’s movement for not acknowledging the contribution of the women in the 1950s. Those women operated under very difficult situations with media limitations as far as T.V, Radio or Newspapers are concerned. These women sacrificed a lot of their time, resources, and families just to champion the women interests in this country. The current women’s struggles owe a lot to the earlier women who initiated activism.

At what stage did you join the women’s movement?

- I knew about the struggle for women’s rights first through my mother Mrs. Iris Pumula who was also of South African origin. I then moved on to actively become involved from 1997 when I joined Action for Development as Executive Director. That was the time when activism was at its height. I was however forced to resign from the moment I openly decided to support Hon. Aggrey Awor in the 2001 Presidential campaigns

in what was supposed to be the Movement system by then and the value of individual merit prominently pronounced. This affected a number of women who were active at that time including me. However, few women of strong courage like Miria Matembe, Winnie Byanyima and Betty Kamya continued with the struggle for women’s rights.

With all these information, why then is Museveni getting all the credit for women’s success in Uganda?

- People should not be misled to think that the women movement started with President Museveni. The women had earlier fought for their rights and recognition, President Museveni only created an enabling environment from 1986.

Are there some blessings to be counted on by the women in their struggle so far?

- ‘Oh yes, oh yes. Women have achieved a lot especially on the affirmative action in education and in politics at all levels. Prof. Joy Kwesiga led the advocacy teams for the 1.5 point for girls to join University after realising the gross gender imbalance in the education system.

Any advice for the women movement?

- ‘First, the Domestic Relations Bill must be changed and be called the “Family Law”. The word family has a positive connotation that is more palatable for both men and women. The same was done in Ethiopia and it was passed without raising any eyebrows. Secondly, the nobility is now left for the younger generation to stimulate the process further and fight for the uneducated women and girls in the rural and urban areas. Most of these have remained in abusive relationships because they are fully dependent on the men in their homes. Credit should be given to Hon. Specioza Kazibwe who insists, “the solution to women’s issues including poverty eradication, is the education of the girl child”.


Harriet Namisi is Programme Coordinator Governance and Advocacy – DENIVA  Email: hna@deniva.or.ug