Ms. Winnie Byanyima, the wife of Dr. Kiiza Besigye the previous president of the FDC, has heaped praises on President Museveni for his tireless efforts to uplift and empower women in Uganda.
Winnie, together with husband are known for hurling several criticisms against the NRM government and have been very bitter with the leadership on several occasions. However, this December, she took to her twitter handle to shower President Museveni with praises for his efforts in empowering women and advocating for gender equality.
“I don’t usually agree with the man in the hat [Museveni], but on giving young women the opportunity to lead, I salute him!” Byanyima wrote on her Twitter handle.
Ms. Byanyima who is the Executive Director of UNAIDS and an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations wrote this short but thoughtful post after she bumped into the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jane Frances Abodo at Entebbe International Airport.
Other critics have also lauded President Museveni for these tremendous efforts for gender equality. In 2020, the former minister for ethics and integrity Ms Miria Matembe who is also a critic hailed the president for empowering women and the girl child.
“Although I disagreed with President Museveni, I always thank him for encouraging and empowering the girl child unlike previous governments,” said Matembe.
According to reports, empowerment of women has progressed over the years under the current NRM leadership. This has seen an increase in the number of women rising to positions of power. Uganda is the only East African country to have two female vice presidents.
Uganda’s government also has several women in top positions including the Prime Minister RT Hon Nabanjja, Speaker of Parliament Hon. Anita Among, heads of government MDA’s including UNRA’s Allen Kagina, Ms Bamuturaki of Uganda Airlines, KCCA’s Dorothy Kisaka. Uganda also has several cabinet and state Ministers including Judith Nabakooba, Kasule Lumumba, among others.
In Uganda, every district has a woman representative, and a gender ministry which champions for women’s rights.