Uganda Celebrates International Women’s Day

The President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander in Chief of the UPDF H.E Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today presided over the celebrations to mark the International Women’s Day in Kiruhura District.

The celebrations were conducted under the theme: “Equal Opportunities in Education Science and Technology for Innovation and a Gender Equal Future.”

In his remarks, President Museveni welcomed people in the cattle corridor (Kiruhura, Kazo, Isingiro Sembabule, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, etc), noting that his student group against nomadism and subsistence farming was launched in Kiruhura District in 1966 to fight poverty.

He noted that this act prompted him to educate people about the dangers of nomadism in search of pasture and water, plus running from livestock diseases.

He then mentioned that upon capturing power in I986, encouraged people to transform from nomadism to dairy farming and earn from the increased sale of milk and its subsequent dairy products like cheese and yoghurt.

President Museveni stressed that increasing incomes in homes and ensuring food security is the only sure way of transforming societies. “If families are rich then others will come after,” he said, adding that families getting out of poverty is a good first step.

The President encouraged women to embrace science and technology in the first against poverty. ” We must all fight and get out of poverty,” he mentioned.

Vividly bitter, “the President warned people in the cattle corridor to guard against land fragmentation and explore nature to enrich themselves.”

He said that dividing wealth after the death of the original owner is a new crime since it invites poverty. “Instead develop yourselves using shares, famously known as ’emigabo,’” he said.

He further urged people to grow pasture for their livestock and avoid depending on nature as they wait for rain.

He further encouraged Ugandans to engage in the four-acre model’ to transform themselves.

Earlier the President also launched the Digitalization of the informal sector (Jua-Kali) enterprises Using a mobile truck (Digi-Truck) Project.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Females constitute about 50.8% of the population and dominate the age group of 20-24 years in the population of Uganda, and continue to have a longer life expectancy from 52.0 years in 2002 to 64.5 years in 2016.

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon. Betty Amongi Akena noted that higher learning institutions have given more vacancies to females to study science and engineering courses.

Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon. Betty Amongi Akena celebrating with other Ugandan women leaders in Sanga

She thanked the President for having exemplary women in digital sciences and technology, adding that women’s education is the foundation of science and technology. Hon. Amongi further pledged to continue using the multi-sectoral approach to emancipate women through programs like the ‘Grow Project’.

The World Bank Country Manager to Uganda Ms. R. Mukami Kariuki announced a grant of Ugx 800 billion to finance women enterprises under their Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project.

Technology is defining the future of our work, said the UN Resident Coordinator Susan Mbogi.

Other UN representatives pledged continued support for women’s enterprises through science and technology.

The Master of Ceremonies of the Chancellery Maj Gen George Igumba and Commandant of the Senior Command and Staff College – Kimaka in Jinja, read out the names of the 63 Ugandans who received medals for their distinguished contribution to the social economic transformation of the country.

Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program, under the Revolving Fund, handed over Dummy Cheques to Kiruhura, Kasese, Lwengo, Ibanda and Mbarara districts, and Land Titles were handed over to some individuals to cement ownership.

Today’s celebrations were also graced by the attendance of the First lady and Minister of Education and Sports Maama Janet Museveni, Vice President Hon Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Hon Robinah Nabbanja, Speaker of Parliament Hon. Annet Anita, NRM 1st Vice Chairperson Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, NRM Secretary General Hon. Richard Todwong, Cabinet Ministers, diplomats, Security Chiefs, Area local leaders, religious leaders, UPDF Senior and Junior Officers, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, among others.