By Lumpe Media
KAMPALA — The race for the National Women’s Council Chairperson for the 2026–2031 term is gathering momentum, with Hajjat Faridah Kibowa emerging as a prominent contender as women leaders across the country rally behind her campaign.
Kibowa is among the four candidates seeking to lead the National Women’s Council and is contesting on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket under the theme: “For Continuity of a Visible and Active Women’s Council Structure at Both National and Village Level.”
Her campaign has largely focused on strengthening the existing women’s council structures, improving grassroots participation and ensuring that women can access government programmes aimed at improving household incomes and livelihoods.
Supporters describe Kibowa as a grassroots-oriented leader whose approach combines accessibility, mobilisation and advocacy for women’s social and economic empowerment.
Women leaders who have interacted with her during the campaign say her familiarity with the Women’s Council structure and her engagement with grassroots communities have strengthened her appeal among delegates.
A women’s council delegate from the Central Region said Kibowa’s campaign had resonated with many women because of what they described as her commitment to maintaining an active presence within the structures.
“Hajjat Kibowa has been there for women. She understands the structure and relates well with women at different levels. For many of us, continuity and active leadership are important,” the delegate said.
Focus on grassroots women
At the centre of Kibowa’s campaign is the argument that the National Women’s Council should remain visible not only at the national level but also within villages and communities where many women encounter challenges relating to household income, access to government programmes and representation.
If elected, Kibowa has pledged to strengthen coordination between national and grassroots women leaders and make the council more responsive to the concerns raised by women at village, parish, sub-county and district levels.
Her campaign has also emphasised the need to connect more women to government initiatives designed to promote economic empowerment, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and the GROW Project, among other programmes.
Supporters say the council should play a stronger role in mobilising women to take advantage of such programmes rather than limiting its activities to leadership and representation.
Kibowa has also pledged to promote a more vibrant and result-oriented Women’s Council, with greater emphasis on practical interventions that can improve the welfare and economic independence of women.
A campaign built on continuity
Kibowa’s message of continuity comes as the National Women’s Council prepares for a new five-year leadership term.
Her campaign team argues that maintaining functional structures from the national level down to the village is essential for ensuring that women’s concerns are consistently communicated to policymakers.
They also say stronger coordination could enable women leaders to better identify challenges affecting their communities and work with government agencies to find solutions.
The campaign has attracted support from women leaders in different regions, although the final outcome will depend on the delegates participating in the elections.
With four candidates in the race, the contest is expected to generate considerable interest among women leaders as they assess the candidates’ programmes, leadership experience and ability to represent their interests.
For Kibowa, the central pitch remains clear: a visible, active and connected Women’s Council capable of reaching women at every level of the country’s administrative structure.
As voting day approaches, her supporters are increasingly presenting her as their preferred candidate, arguing that her grassroots engagement and emphasis on continuity make her the right choice to lead the council for the 2026–2031 term.
Kibowa is now seeking the mandate of delegates to become National Chairperson of the Women’s Council, promising to put grassroots women at the centre of the council’s work and strengthen its role in advancing women’s participation in Uganda’s social, economic and political development.
VOTE HAJJAT FARIDAH KIBOWA FOR NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON — WOMEN’S COUNCIL 2026–2031.
