Mityana District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Judith Nabakooba, who doubles as the Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, has urged school girls to look up to powerful female leaders in the world if they are to have their dreams materialize.
Ms Nabakooba who was speaking at the Inter-House Cultural Competitions at St Elizabeth Girls’ Secondary School in Mityana District on June 28, where she officiated as Chief Guest asked young girls to rely on women leadership icons in the world as their role models if they are to dream big, arguing that each person has the potential to become leaders in their communities.
“Never allow anyone to tell you that your dreams are too big. With education, discipline, faith and hard work, there is no limit to what you can achieve,” she said.
She was particularly drawn to the attention of the school houses naming which is after powerful women in the world, whose great contributions to the world cannot go unnoticed.
School houses were named Angela Merkel, a former chancellor of Germany, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who was the first African woman to become President in Liberia, Oprah Winfrey, the black American, media personality, and a best wealth Afro-American whereas Rosa Parks is remembered for being an African activist who fought so hard to fight discrimination of Africans in America.
“I was pleased to learn that the four houses are named after outstanding women who have changed the world through leadership and courage,” she said.
Ms Nabakooba believes that if the same traits of those women are taken up by young girls, it will be a strong pillar in ensuring that they transform lives and nations.
The inter-house cultural competitions had a number of activities including poems, traditional songs, dress codes in different cultures, and local dishes among others.
Participants exhibited creativity, passion, teamwork, and talents. Through traditional dances, songs, attire and cuisine, students are reminded that culture is not merely entertainment—it bears one’s identity, history and the foundation upon which the future is built.
Ms Sylvia Namabidde, the Executive Director of the school, said they were thoughtful while naming the school houses, stressing that they are nurturing great leaders with substance for the future.
She told the minister that girls at this school started admiring her when she was still in police and many have looked up to her for the braveness and hard work she has carried all along up to becoming a politician.
“You are a good example of resilient leaders whose actions have been felt and seen. When I asked the girls the person, they wanted to be a chief guest on this function, they mentioned your name,” Ms Namabidde said.
Ms Namabidde also said that she had a vision before starting up this school, noting that she envisions a big institution that will be known on the international market for producing competent girls who will be powerful in Uganda and beyond.
Ms Diana Kasumba, the school headteacher, said they have existed for the past 16 years, and today, they have a student enrollment of 750 students.
She revealed plans of establishing a storied structure that will create a more conducive environment for the learners.
Results for outstanding performers were awarded by Mr Kevin Kyeswa, a teacher and a national adjudicator who guided students on different areas of improvement.
He guided that when presenting in a traditional culture, participants should ensure they be natural in dressing, preparing local food, speaking, and the way they conduct themselves.
At the end of the ceremony, the head teacher awarded Ms Nabakooba an accolade for being a good example to women and girls through her work as a two-time Member of Parliament for Mityana District and a minister in different ministries. The accolade was handed to her by the School Executive Director, Ms Namabidde.
Outstanding students in different activities were also awarded prizes including mattresses, bedsheets, blankets, and certificates. Teaching and the non-teaching staff were also honored for their outstanding performance.
