Kayunga Women Endorse Faridah Kibowa for Second Term as National Women Council Chairperson

By Denis Mukisa

Women leaders in Kayunga District have endorsed Hajjati Faridah Kibowa’s bid for a second term as National Chairperson of the Women Council.

The endorsement followed ward-level women’s council elections, during which Prossy Matovu, the newly elected chairperson of the Women’s Council in Nazigo Ward, announced plans to launch a nationwide campaign in support of Kibowa’s re-election.

Matovu said the campaign would mobilise delegates from different districts to back Kibowa when national delegates gather to elect the next chairperson.

Speaking after the local elections, Matovu praised Kibowa’s leadership, saying her tenure had increased the visibility and influence of the Women Council.

Women representatives at the event also credited Kibowa’s programmes with empowering grassroots women to participate more actively in leadership and public affairs. They noted that many women who previously hesitated to speak in public had gained confidence and were now taking up leadership roles in their communities.

While accepting her election as vice chairperson of the Nazigo Ward Women Council, Kibowa outlined her priorities for a possible second term as national chairperson. She said she would focus on strengthening the council’s structures, beginning at the village level.

Under her proposed programme, village women leaders would receive structured induction to help them understand their responsibilities and effectively advocate for women in their communities.

Kibowa also said she would prioritise ensuring that women benefit from government development programmes aimed at reducing poverty and promoting household financial independence.

“Women must understand their vital role in contributing to the financial stability of their households,” Kibowa said, urging women to support their families and promote economic empowerment among themselves.

She further called on women leaders to promote maternal health by encouraging expectant mothers to attend antenatal care and deliver at government health facilities instead of relying on traditional birth attendants.

Kibowa said increased access to professional maternal healthcare would help reduce maternal deaths.

Matovu pledged to work closely with women at the grassroots to ensure they access justice and benefit fully from government programmes.

Meanwhile, Betty Nalweiso, the National Resistance Movement chairperson for Nazigo Town Council, reported that the party had performed strongly in the lower-level elections.

Nalweiso said NRM candidates were elected unopposed in all 10 villages in the ward, attributing the outcome to what she described as the candidates’ strong track record and leadership capacity.

The newly elected executive committee for Nazigo Ward comprises Prossy Matovu as chairperson, Faridah Kibowa as vice chairperson, Busingye Marckline as secretary, Nangobi Monicca as publicity secretary, and Nakyanzi Debora as treasurer.

The women’s council elections are continuing at the sub-county, municipal and district levels before culminating in national elections, where delegates will elect the National Chairperson.