Minister of Lands who was the chief guest at Kassanda District belated Womenβs Day celebration, Judith Nabakooba, has commended the government for its women affirmative action policies which have accelerated gender equality among the marginalized gender.
Speaking at the celebrations held at St Charles Lwanga Lwanjiri Catholic Parish playground in Kalwana Sub County playground, Kassanda District, Nabakooba congratulated women in Kassanda for the sacrifice they made to mark the women ‘s day in the district. She acknowledged the selfless efforts by women leaders to pull up a big function.
βBefore the government introduced affirmative action for women, we used to be housewives, and our roles were to produce and raise children, take care of gardens and stay at home but now the narrative has changed,β Ms Nabakooba recalls.
She appreciated the NRM government in the chairmanship of President Yoweri Museveni for empowering and believing in women, urging women to continue working hard to realise the governmentβs efforts to keep women financially stable.
βThe President encourages us to work hard and this government has transformed us as women to ensure gender equality. We have powerful women in this country who are doing a commendable job through leadership established by our President,β she emphasized.
The minister encouraged women to use this opportunity granted by the government to uplift fellow women and also lobby for socio-economic programs viable to boost their living standards.
Ms Nabakooba encouraged women to use government programs which are free of charge to change lives. Socio-economic programs such as the Uganda Women Entreprenuership Programme (UWEP), GROW, Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga among others are potential poverty alleviation programs that women would use to boost their household incomes.
Kassanda District has so far received 116 million UWEP funds to support women. This money was channeled to their account in the 2023/2024 financial year. This Financial Year, 22 UWEP groups were mobilised and approved, awaiting endorsement for further consideration by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
The celebrations themed: Accelerating action for gender equality, were graced by a big number of women from all parts of the district, leaders, women, children and students.
Ms Serina Kasozi, Kyankwanzi District Women Council chairperson, told the minister that at least 18 women group projects benefited from the UWEP money they received.
These women got money ranging from Shs5 to 8million, venturing into projects such as goat rearing, poultry keeping, bull fattening, produce buying, salon operation, dairy farming, maize farming, tailoring, and cattle rearing.
She noted that they join the rest of the world annually to celebrate women, and this year, the day provided an opportunity for reflection and taking stock of what has been done to empower women from all corners of Kassanda.
βThis day helps us to address challenges which affect women in Kassanda, inspire and motivate young girls and women to pursue their dreams, challenge stereotypes and become good leaders in their community,β she stressed.
Women are also sensitized about how they can access financial services and equipping them with skills for enterprise growth through government programs.
Ms Phoebe Namulindwa, the Kassanda Resident District Commissioner, appreciated men for supporting their women, arguing that for a family to stand still, it must have a hardworking woman but this can only happen if the man backs up his woman.
βIf your cup is full, it means you can share it with others. Letβs keep as one person a man and a woman by supporting each other, that is a happy family,β she tipped couples.
She condemned domestic violence that usually stems from poverty, calling upon the residents of Kassanda to use government programs to have some productive work done and fend for their families.
Rev Fr Robert Migadde, a priest at St Charles Lwanga Lwanjiri, applauded the minister for the commendable job she is doing to support the Catholic Church activities and supporting women in greater Mubende.
Through her ministry, the minister has helped women to get rightful ownership of their land and they can now establish commercial projects on that land, which has boosted their income.
Fr Migadde also appreciated the minister for supporting the church in fighting land grabbers by introducing a program of updating their trustees. Ms Nabakooba instituted a team from the ministry that is working with church-formed teams across the country to title all the land belonging to the church. This has shielded church land from grabbers because untitled land exposes it to grabbers and encroachers.
