Unopposed wins and senior cadre backing propel Kibowa’s national bid in Kayunga

By Denis Mukisa

Kayunga District will hold only declarations rather than competitive elections for women’s council positions next Friday after all National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates secured victory at town council and sub-county levels, many of them unopposed. Party leaders have also thrown their weight behind Hajjat Faridah Kibowa’s bid for national chairperson.

At a press briefing held at the party offices, NRM Women’s Council leaders and the district executive committee announced their unanimous support for Kibowa’s second term. They resolved to harmonise all district-level positions behind her and appealed to other district chairpersons not to field candidates against her, citing her strong performance during her first term.

Senior cadres, including former minister Suleiman Kyebakoze Madada, Alex Kasiriivu and acting NRM district chairperson David Kato, endorsed the decision. They praised the women’s council structure for equipping women with leadership skills, self-esteem and public-speaking ability.

NRM leaders in Kayunga at the party office demonstrating support for Kibowa

Kibowa thanked her supporters and pledged continued social support and loyalty to the party. She said that if re-elected she would prioritise empowering village-level leaders with a clear understanding of their roles. Expressing confidence in the national race, she noted that no other woman has so far declared interest and appealed for the opportunity to continue serving as national chairperson of the women’s council.

Kayunga women leaders said they expect Kibowa to organise immediate induction programmes for newly elected leaders to prevent role conflicts. They also vowed to mobilise nationwide support for her candidacy.

The current district committee comprises Faridah Kibowa (chairperson), Ruth Nakikayira (vice-chairperson), Tulina Teddy (publicity secretary) and Kanyango Joyce Kumama (treasurer). National women’s council elections are scheduled for 2 September.

The National Women’s Council is an autonomous body established under the National Women’s Council Act of 1993 and operates under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. Its primary objectives are to organise Ugandan women into a unified body and to engage them in activities that benefit both women and the nation, irrespective of religion, tribe, origin, status or political affiliation.