A section of women leaders from different opposition political parties in Uganda have appealed to the government to end brutality against those who don’t support them.
Barbie Itungo, the wife of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader Robert Kyagulanyi, said most women have now joined political activism to push for change due to continued brutality against their loved ones.
While presiding over the belated women’s day celebration held at the NUP party headquarters, Makerere Kavule, on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, as the guest speaker, Itungo said continued security brutality has indirectly oppressed women, something that pushed them into the struggle for change of government.
“Women were comfortable in their homes, but when their husbands are murdered, children are killed, kidnapped, and imprisoned for no crime, then it leaves them with no option,” Itungo said.
Itungo asked the government to ensure constant availability of drugs in public hospitals and end security brutality.
According to her, women are peace-loving people with little interest in joining violent political protests.
Nyanjura Doreen, the deputy mayor for Kampala and also a member of the People’s Front for Freedom, said women are determined and united together irrespective of their political affiliation to continue pushing for the change of government.
“Thousands of young girls keep dropping out of school because of lack of sanitary pads, and all this can end if we are united and work together for change,” Nyanjura said.
International Women’s Day is celebrated every March 8th to recognize and honor the contributions of women in various fields while also advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.
This year’s national theme for Uganda was “Empowering Women through Innovative Approaches to Social Protection; a Pre-requisite for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.”
The national celebration was held in Kyankwnazi district, and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was the chief guest and called on women to support the government’s wealth creation programs, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), to enhance livelihoods.
