Longest serving women legislators on affirmative action

The 1995 Constitution consolidated the NRM political innovation of affirmative action that we had first witnessed in 1986 when special positions on the village Resistance Councils (RCs) were reserved for special interest groups.

Thus, the new Constitution entrenched and ring-fenced seats for the youth, women, workers, persons with disabilities and the army on a regional and district basis. With the exception of army seats, the other seats were supposed to act as a stepping stone for the disadvantaged groups to climb onto the political podium in a field where machismo always disadvantaged women, youth and persons with disabilities.

It was envisaged that thereafter, the beneficiaries will have got sufficient exposure to run head-to-head for the open parliamentary constituency slots. Indeed many have gone on to do so but many others have stayed put, turning affirmative action into a cash-cow. Sunday Monitor’s Mercy Nalugo looks at some of those who have overstayed the affirmative ticket amid calls that the entire arrangement needs to be reviewed.

Longest serving women legislators on affirmative action

Rebecca Kadaga

Speaker Kadaga was re-elected to represent the women of Kamuli in the 6th Parliament in 1996 after serving in the National Resistance Council since 1989. Ms Kadaga is also the first woman Speaker of Parliament in the history of Uganda.
A lawyer by profession and given her exposure, Ms Kadaga was in September elected the new chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians - International.
She has previously served as minister of State for Regional Cooperation and minister for Parliamentary Affairs. She is serving a fifth term as Woman MP for Kamuli.

Ruth Nankabirwa

Ms Nankabirwa, the Minister of State for Fisheries, has been Woman MP for Kiboga District since 1996 and earlier represented Kiboga in the Constituent Assembly.

She is serving her fourth term on affirmative action. She has since 1998 served in various ministerial positions.
Ms Nankabirwa previously served as state minister for Luweero Triangle, Defence, and Microfinance.

Whereas she has been distinctive and vocal in Parliament, she has not competed for the direct constituencies which are perceived to be for men.

Cecilia Ogwal

Ms Ogwal was often referred to as the country’s “iron lady” for her criticism of the regime. She was among the Constituent Assembly delegates, and from 1996, represented the people of Lira Municipality up to 2005 when she lost the seat to Mr Jimmy Akena.

This means she served two terms on a direct constituency election competed for by few women. She was a Uganda Peoples Congress party steward. The former beauty queen-turned politician joined the Forum for Democratic Change after she fell out with UPC and contested for the Dokolo District Woman seat in 2006.

Jalia Bintu

Ms Bintu who was a member of the National Resistance Council between 1994 and 1996, has represented Masindi District women since 2001. She is serving her third term.

Rose Namayanja

Ms Rose Namayanja, the Minister for Information, joined Parliament in 2001 as a Central Youth representative, but later competed for the Nakaseke District Woman seat.

She is serving her third term in Parliament and a second term as the Nakaseke Woman MP but has indicated she may not compete again. Ms Namayanja has, however, been at the forefront in advocating for women’s rights but believes that those women that have served under affirmative action and gained the experience, should create room for fresh blood; and the old brass go for constituencies.

Alice Alaso

Ms Alaso is the Woman MP for Serere District but previously represented Soroti District for two terms since 2001. The Forum for Democratic Change secretary general and a vocal legislator, has also pushed through motions and been consistent in supporting gender-sensitive bills.

Alaso is serving her third term on affirmative action and says the concept is now affected by the new dynamics, for example, a return to multipartyism. She says the contest is now between political parties that know who to deploy in which constituency instead of forfeiting the seat to another party.

She notes that patriarchy is still very solid and that the community perceives constituency seats as meant for men.

Mary Karooro Okurut

She joined Parliament in 2004 and is one of the vocal legislators. Karooro is representing the women of Bushenyi District in Parliament for a third term. Ms Karooro is former minister for Information and is now the Gender minister.

Being passionate about women’s issues, Ms Karooro believes in affirmative action and says it has created an avenue for more women to join politics and also given them a platform to advance the women’s cause.

The writer has also contributed to the country’s literature through a number of publications she has issued. She is the founder of the Uganda Women Writers’ Association.

Betty Amongi

Ms Amongi (now on a direct constituency) represented Apac District women from 2001 until 2011. She is serving as the MP for Oyam South County. Currently chairperson of Uganda Women Parliamentary Association, Ms Amongi notes that culture has played a major role in hindering women MPs from transcending to direct constituencies.
The UPC stalwart says people perceive direct constituencies as male constituencies and the moment a woman declares intentions to compete for them, they are discouraged.