Beyond Mama Kits: Kayunga Women Urged to Embrace Economic Empowerment on International Women’s Day

By Denis Mukisa

Bbaale, Kayunga; As Uganda celebrated International Women’s Day 2026 under the national theme “Scaling up Investment to Accelerate Access to Justice for All Women and Girls,” leaders in Kayunga District used the occasion to shift the conversation from short-term relief to long-term economic independence for women.

The district event, held at Bbaale Health Centre IV, combined maternal health awareness with a strong call for women’s financial empowerment. National Women’s Council Chairperson Hajjat Faridah Kibowa challenged women to move beyond depending solely on their husbands and actively participate in government income-generating programmes.

“Women should join the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga programmes instead of relying only on their husbands, who sometimes abandon their responsibilities,” Hajjat Kibowa said.

She encouraged women to take charge of their economic future, especially noting that greater financial independence would also improve their access to better maternal care and reduce vulnerability.

The event highlighted both progress and challenges in maternal health. In the past six months, 107 out of 570 mothers who delivered at Bbaale Health Centre IV were below 18 years of age. While addressing teenage mothers, Kibowa urged them not to lose hope and to consider returning to school to build brighter futures for themselves and their children.

She also discouraged reliance on traditional birth attendants, stressing the importance of delivering at government health facilities. However, the lack of a functional ambulance at the centre remains a key barrier to emergency care. Uganda’s national ambulance coverage is low (approximately one vehicle per 100,000 people), with rural areas most affected. Hajjat Kibowa pledged to advocate for an ambulance for Bbaale Health Centre IV to help save mothers’ lives.

Kayunga District official Naava Fatuma reinforced the message of family stability, urging women to promote unity and respect in marriage while calling on men to shoulder their responsibilities.

At the end of the celebrations, Hajjat Kibowa donated essential maternal supplies; including mama kits, basins, and soap, to over 400 mothers. While the items were received with gratitude, the dominant message was clear: donations alone are not enough. Sustainable empowerment through economic programmes is the way forward.

The district event followed the national celebrations held on March 8, 2026, at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala. Leaders in Kayunga say the real celebration of Women’s Day will be measured by how many women transition from vulnerability and dependence to active participants in wealth creation and decision-making in their families and communities.