The National Women’s Council (NWC) has rejected growing calls for President Yoweri Museveni to appoint a woman as Deputy Speaker of Parliament, arguing that leadership positions should not be determined solely on the basis of gender balance.
Speaking on behalf of the council, NWC spokesperson Hajat Faridah Kibowa said women across Uganda remain confident that their interests will continue to be protected in Parliament regardless of whether the Deputy Speaker is male or female.
Kibowa noted that Uganda already has strong female representation in both Parliament and government, making it unnecessary to pressure the President into making appointments purely to satisfy gender considerations.
“Women are already represented in Parliament through different categories and leadership positions. What matters is effective leadership and service to the country,” Kibowa said.
She further credited President Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement government for advancing women into positions of authority over the years, saying Uganda has made significant progress in promoting female leadership.
Kibowa pointed to the presence of women in top government offices as evidence of that progress. Uganda has previously had women serve at the highest levels of government, including former Vice President Specioza Kazibwe and current Vice President Jessica Alupo.
Parliament has also seen women occupy the Speaker’s office, with Rebecca Kadaga previously serving as Speaker and Anita Among currently holding the position.
According to the Women’s Council, these milestones demonstrate that women’s political empowerment should not be measured by a single appointment.
“The President has consistently supported women’s empowerment and leadership. As women, we trust that his eventual choice will consider the broader interests of the country,” Kibowa added.
The council’s remarks come amid increasing political debate surrounding the leadership of the incoming 12th Parliament, with speculation continuing over who will occupy the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
While some stakeholders have pushed for a woman to be considered for Deputy Speaker in order to maintain gender balance within parliamentary leadership, the National Women’s Council insists that women’s participation in governance is already visible and influential across several institutions.
The council maintains that the focus should now shift toward leadership capability, experience, and national priorities rather than pressure driven by gender expectations.