Hot FM 101.6 Amolatar The People's Voice
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Story compiled by Sarah Ejang
The praises for Lango’s giant female politicians are sung, not only in the region, but nationally; most prominent beingfor the late Imat Cecilia Ogwal, who had been a legislator since 1996. By the time of her demise early this year, she was serving as the Member of Parliament for the Dokolo District Women’s Constituency.
“The achievements of Imat Cecile Atim Ogwal cannot be compared to those of any male politician, illustrating that many capable women deserve the opportunity to lead. Her ideas have been recognized in governance at various national and international platforms, which is indicative of her impact,” Eddy Olwa Alele, a resident from Amolatar District, enthusiastically says. To many voters in the region, she was a symbol of breaking cultural barriers that restricted women to domestic roles.
Describing female politicians as stars in community development, Denis Ongora, a resident of Dokolo District, points out politicians Dr Jane Ruth Aceng and HonLinda Auma, as exemplary figures dedicated to improving the quality of life and education. Dr Aceng serves as the Lira City Woman representative and Minister of Health while MsAuma is the Lira District Woman Member of Parliament.“I have observed that women are making remarkable strides in political leadership, with many active politicians being women. For instance, the Member of Parliament for Lira City is a proactive woman focused on enhancing the community’s livelihoods, educating children, and promoting peace,” Ongora stated.
Denis Ongora, like a couple of voters I engaged, praised women for their significant contributions to political leadership, asserting that they offer invaluable support to the community, often surpassing their male counterparts.
Ironically, society hasn’t made things any easier for women in the sub-region. Their political journeys are marred by violence and intimidation, including verbal and physical abuse. “Women often face skepticism regarding their capabilities to lead and make impactful decisions,” reveals Betty Amongi, Member of Parliament (MP) for Oyam South, in the Lango sub-region.
Amongi, who also serves as Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, points out that skepticism against female leaders can take many forms, including disparaging remarks or under-estimation of their qualifications. According to Amongi, such views can pose serious obstacles for women who want to run for political office. She also highlights that women in political positions in Uganda’s Lango sub-region face significant challenges including cultural and societal barriers, as well as limited financial resources.
Despite these challenges, many women have made remarkable progress, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations, even though their involvement in politics is frequently stigmatized. “Female candidates often have to work harder than their male counterparts to prove themselves. This includes not only demonstrating their competence but also overcoming societal expectations that may favor traditional roles over leadership positions for women,” says Amongi who has contested with male opponents.
Another aspect that Amongi emphasizes is the pressure to balance public and personal responsibilities, which can be especially difficult for women.
Despite these challenges,she believes that her election as an MP will serve as an inspiration to other Ugandan women, demonstrating that success in politics is possible regardless of gender. Her journey underscores the importance of resilience and determination.
Amongi advocates for more support for female candidates through mentorship programs and initiatives aimed at instilling confidence in women interested in politics.She emphasized that increased female participation in governance results in a more comprehensive representation of societal needs and perspectives.
Another woman Member of Parliament, Dr Apio Otuku, was motivated to compete for the Oyam North parliamentary seat by the desire to bring about change in a political landscape that has traditionally been dominated by men.
“Many voters hold traditional views about women’s roles and were frequently questioning my abilities based solely on my gender rather than my qualifications or experience,” she says.
DrOtuku believes that women’s participation in politics is crucial for achieving gender equality and ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in decision-making processes.
She, however, acknowledgedthat gender bias and stereotypes remain a significant challenge for them. “I was subjected to societal pressures that dictated how women should behave in public.
These expectations sometimes conflicted with my campaign strategies, as I sought to assert myself as a strong candidate while navigating cultural norms that may not support such assertiveness from women.”
She was inspired to tackle challenges such as resource constraints, societal expectations, voter engagement issues, threats of violence, media representation disparities, and networking difficulties.
Engaging voters presented another challenge, especially in rural areas where traditional views may prevail. Dr Otuku had to work hard to effectively communicate her vision and policies, all the while building trust in communities accustomed to male leadership.
The experiences of female politicians in the region are similar. Judith Alek, the Kole District Woman MP, stated that, like many other parts of Uganda, Lango women in politics have historically faced challenges in terms of gender equality and representation in politics.
She emphasizes that, while progress has been made toward increasing women’s participation in politics, significant barriers remain.
These barriers include cultural norms,often prioritising male leadership, limited access to resources for women candidates, and societal perceptions undermining women’s capabilities as leaders. She pointed out that these factors contribute to a political environment where women may struggle to gain equal footing with their male counterparts.
At the grassroots level, according to UBOS, 2022 statistics, only 30% of Lango’s district council seats are held by women. Nationally, Parliament Watch Uganda reveals that only (188) 33.8% of the 529 Members of the 11th Parliament are women. Male MPs make up 66.2% (368).
“While cultural norms and economic disparities continue to present significant challenges, there is a path forward through education, support systems, and legislative reforms aimed at fostering an inclusive political environment,” she optimistically says.
Many women in the region have not been deterred by the challenges above. Josephine Acen, the Amolatar District Education Officer said her interest in running for the 2026 parliamentary seat in Dokolo North constituency, competing with male counterparts, indicates her commitment to serving her community through legislative means.
Acen stated that her prior experience with various government agencies, combined with strategic planning for the upcoming election cycle, positions her as a viable candidate with the potential to positively influence local governance.
“I am not threatened by the gender norms since I have been working with men and doing even better than them,” says Acen.
She vows to turn a deaf ear to insults, especially from any male political opponents. She rubbishes the belief that most women of high political standing lose respect for their spouses, saying it is based on one’s social behavior and advises mindset change.
David Sheldrick, Gender Champion Officer and Probation Officer for the AmolatarDistrict local government, emphasizes increased awareness and involvement of women in decision-making.
“I think the government’s empowering women with projects like GROW and UWEP is another way of involving women in participation in different fields,” saysOlwa.
Olwa added that besides interventions to see that women’s participation is recognised from the grassroots; men too should not be forgotten.
“Historically, Lango sub-region has been characterized by patriarchal norms, limiting women’s participation in politics. However, efforts to promote gender equality have resulted in increased representation,”Olwa added.
Community local leaders like Oyeogweng, the leader of the Ogangi Concord clan, have started advocating for women’s leadership within cultural contexts. “Alongside cultural norms and religious beliefs, I now advocate for increased female participation in political positions, as they have demonstrated commendable performance when elected,” Ogangi remarked.
He emphasized that women thrive in leadership roles when given the opportunity. “From what I have observed, their contributions significantly enhance the development of specific districts,” Ogangi says.
Furthermore, Amulet Grace, the leader of the Obukori clan, noted that historically, women were expected to express their views through their husbands.
However, she highlighted that societal changes have granted women equal rights to pursue leadership positions, political and cultural, as evidenced by her election to lead her clan.
Ms Amulet urged the community to adopt a mindset of gender inclusivity, encouraging both women and men to engage in leadership roles without bias.
She referenced the achievements of Gender Minister Amongi Betty and Dr Apio Otuku, who successfully contested against male candidates and now represent constituencies in Oyam District. “I was elected just like anyone else and competed with men, but my clan chose me over them not merely for my capabilities, but because they recognized the importance of equal opportunity for all, regardless of gender, breaking away from past cultural norms that relegated women to lower capacities, often expressing their views through their husbands,” Amulet explained.
She concluded by affirming that the performance of women in leadership positions has been remarkably promising and can only get better when given the much-needed support.
This story was supported by Aga Khan University Graduates school of Media and Communications and Gender sensitive reporting project.
