Most talked about women of 2018

Unforgettable: This has been fraught with issues and challenges that forced women to rise up and fight back. We have seen quite a number of inspirational female celebrities, business women and political activists, make incredible impact. It was also a year for big wins from literature, sports and art, Esther Oluka looks back at the women who made 2018 an unforgettable year.

Stella Nyanzi, activist and research fellow
In her Facebook profile, Nyanzi terms herself as a die-hard Facebooker who loudly speaks her mind based on banal experiences of life. Going by her Facebook posts, some of the experiences she posts are based on previous and current incidents. Some of these revelations are about her private life while others are about the current affairs of the country, some of which have landed her into the wrong side of the law. Just last month, she was arrested on allegations that she insulted President Museveni and his deceased mother on September 16 on her Facebook page. Police says she committed offence of cyber harassment and offensive communication. Following a court appearance Nyanzi asked the court to summon Mr Museveni to explain how he was offended by the posts. She refused to apply for bail and was sent back to Luzira prison.

Quiin Abenakyo, Miss Uganda 2018/2019
Last weekend, a number of Ugandans got thrilled when Abenakyo secured a place in the top 30 at the Miss World finals. This was after beating Miss Argentina in a head-to-head challenge where Abenakyo stated in her presentation that she would use Uganda’s beauty with a purpose to fight teenage pregnancies. The 22-year-old spoke with confidence, grace and simplicity, attributes that wowed a number of Ugandans and drove them to vote for her online as their favourite contestant. So will Abenakyo be Miss World? We will find out today during the finals that are taking place in Sanya, China. But whether our girl takes the crown or not, we are still proud of her making it to top 30.

Jennifer Musisi
On October 16, the nation woke up to news that Jennifer Musisi had, after seven years in charge, tendered in her resignation as KCCA executive director. The media was awash with speculation and analysis following the resignation. She assured the nation that the institution will continue despite her exit. “It is a normal thing for people to resign; it is not abnormal for all sorts of reasons. So this should not be a surprise to anybody. There are some countries where people resign every week,” Musisi stated.

Laura Kabasomi Kakoma
Uganda-born international artiste Somi took home the 2018 United States Artist Fellowship and Wins NAACP Image Award for ‘Outstanding Jazz Album’ for her recently released album title Petite Afrique. Born Laura Kabasomi Kakoma, Somi is one of the few African artistes signed to Sony Music. The fellowship came with $50,000 USD as part of honour that also recognises her creative accomplishments, and thus supports her ongoing artistic and professional development. The awardees were selected from more than 500 nominated applicants across all creative disciplines. Somi was also recently featured on a CNN segment about “Celebrating Otherness in Trump’s America” and her politically engaged album.

Susan Muwonge, national rally champion
Dubbed as the queen of speed and super lady, Muwonge won her second national rally championship (since 2007) after defeating three male drivers in a motor race that was held in Mbale in November. The win later came with a recognition from Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) where Muwonge won the November sports personality award. In a previous interview with Daily Monitor, the motor rally champion credited her maternal grandmother, Firima Nakitto Kibuuka, as the star of her life for shaping her character and making her the person she is today.

Nshuti Mbabazi
Mbabazi who goes by username Nshuti S Mbabazi on Facebook and YouTube, became an overnight internet sensation doing a cover of Mowzey Radio’s Katonda Tambula Nange. Mbabazi is now well known for doing covers of popular singers such as legendary Elly Wamala, Bobi Wine and Julianna Kanyomozi, among others.

Betty Aol Ochan
Betty Aol Ochan, is the new Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP). Ochan’s life changed when Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party headed by Patrick Oboi Amuriat, appointed her as LoP on August 3, after dropping Winnie Kiiza, the Kasese Woman MP. This created a backlash which she managed to handle with commendable grace and astuteness. Her refusal to join in the fray quickly resolved whatever misunderstanding had been and eased her into office peacefully.

Stella Chesang, athlete
The down-to-earth athlete made us proud after winning a gold medal in the 10,000 metres at the 2018 Commonwealth games that were held in Gold Coast in Australia back in the month of April. Upon her return, the 22-year-old, athlete who also serves in the police force, was later promoted from the rank of Special Police Constable (SPC) to Inspector of Police (IP) at a function presided over by Martin Okoth-Ochola, the Inspector General of Police. The promotion was an appreciation for making the country proud at the games.

Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusooka- conservationist
Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusooka is the first Ugandan to win the prestigious Sierra Club’s EarthCare award, which recognises individuals or organisations that have made a unique contribution to international environmental protection and conservation, Kalema has managed to gain global recognition for her contribution towards saving the lives of gorillas and nature. This comes at a time when wild life in Uganda and Africa (gorillas inclusive) are nearly facing extinction due to the ever unending poaching from ordinary Ugandans mostly those living around national parks.

Sylvia Rwabwogo, the Kabarole Woman MP
The 42-year-old MP has mostly been in this year’s limelight over the ongoing court case involving a love smitten Brian Isiko, 25, who has an apparently deep affection for her. At one of the previous court appearances, Rwabwogo broke down in tears while revealing that she thought the calls and love text messages from Isiko were aimed at trapping her. The case garnered a lot of public attention with some individuals sympathising with her while others got amused by the whole incident.

Justine Bagyenda, Bank of Uganda’s former Executive Director for Supervision
She is currently the talk of town for her role in the closure of several commercial banks. In the past few weeks, she has been summoned before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) over missing key reports bearing details of the closure of National Bank of Commerce and Crane Bank Limited but she did not show up. However, on December 3, Bagyenda gave in to pressure and made an appearance.

Justice Catherine Bamugemereire
Justice Catherine Bamugemereire continued to dominate and make headlines with her Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters. Bamugemereire became the leading attraction during the inquiries for her knack of asking the hard questions and assuming the no-nonsense tone. One of the most memorable sessions was when she reminded the nation that local tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia’s was not an actual doctor and proceeded to dispense with the title throughout the interrogation.

Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, wife to artiste, Bobi Wine
She has been in the spotlight a lot this year for mostly being a devoted wife to the Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Barbie became a popular heroine during her husband’s arrests and detentions after the Arua Municipality by-elections. She won over public sympathy appearing on national television to beg the military that was holding her husband to release him. And well, when he was finally released after securing bail, Barbie was seen by his side in court and hospital. In fact, many men went on social media wishing they had wives who had attributes like Barbie’s. She is a true inspiration to other women to stand by their spouses in both good and bad times.

Sheila Atim
Ugandan-born actress Sheila Atim took home the Laurence Oliver Award for best actress in a supporting role for the Hip Hop musical Hamilton. To lift the prestigious trophy, Atim had to beat fellow Hamilton actress Rachel John, Follies actress Tracie Bennett and Young Frakenstein actress Lesley Joseph. The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London at an annual ceremony in the capital. The awards were originally known as the Society of West End Theatre Awards, but they were renamed in honour of the British actor Laurence Olivier in 1984.

Jennifer Makumbi
Ugandan writer Jenninfer Makumbi was the latest recipient of the $165,000 Windham Campbell Prize. The Prize is awarded every year to eight artists. Makumbi is the author of Kintu, a novel based on Buganda oral history and myth. The novel won the Kwani? Manuscript Project Award in 2013. The Ugandan writer also won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2014 for Africa and for the globe. In 2015 she was shortlisted for the Miles Morland Scholarship. Probably the leading Ugandan writer of her time, Makumbi did her Masters and PhD in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia and is based in Manchester in the United Kingdom. The Windham Campbell Prize is awarded every year to eight writers in poetry, fiction, nonfiction and drama. The prize has been in existence for the past six years. African recipients of the prize include Aminatta Forna, Ivan Vladislavic, Teju Cole and Helon Habila.