The Nnaabagereka of Buganda Kingdom, Her Royal Highness Sylvia Nagginda, has said that women have made defining inroads in girls’ education in Uganda and achieved landmark successes because of some women who came before, women who dared to demand the realization of women’s human rights in all aspects of life.
“We are riding on the shoulders of these women,” she remarked Thursday while delivering a keynote address during the “Sarah Ntiro Public Lecture” held at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility in Makerere University.
The “Sarah Ntiro Annual Public Lecture” commenced with a reception of HRH Sylvia Nagginda and Princess Catalina Ssangalyambogo to a luncheon at the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility (CTF).
The lecture is held in honour of the life and legacy of Sarah Ntiro Nyedwoha, the first female University graduate in Eastern and Central Africa. This year’s lecture was attended by four generations of the Sarah Ntiro family.
“I find it most appropriate to contemplate the lives of women like Sarah Ntiro, Joyce Mpanga and Rhoda Kalema, who were instrumental in catalysing transformational shifts in the lives of girls and women in Uganda,” said Queen Nagginda.
Quoting former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Anan, the Nnaabagereka said that studies have proved that there is no tool for development more effective than the education and empowerment of girls.
“No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity, lower infant mortality or improve nutrition and promote health.”
She said being the Nnaabagereka has provided her with an opportunity to realise her dream of making critical contributions to the development of the country “something I had constantly yearned to do during the eighteen years I spent studying and working in the United States of America”.
“The Nnaabagereka Development Foundation, which I went on to establish in 2000, responds to the needs of children, women and youth. For over 22 years the foundation has been actively involved in numerous health, education and community development initiatives.”
She went on: “Ekisaakaate kya Nnaabagereka continues to promote the nurturing of children in environments where learning and skilling happens and other needs are met, and over the years has become a time-tested attitude and behaviour adjusting intervention.”
According to her, the world needs more Sarah Ntiros, Joyce Mpangas, Rhoda Kalemas and many other outstanding women in Uganda’s history.
“We need to apply ourselves for a better today and tomorrow and a future for everyone.”
Phenomenal women
In 2007, Rhoda Kalema saw the establishment of a Ministry of Women Affairs in the President’s office and her as its Minister.
Later in her political career, Rhoda Kalema used the offices she was appointed to, to advance the causes of girls and women. In her book, she describes how as President of the National Council of Women she lobbied H.E President Kaguta Museveni for a policy on women.
During this period Sarah Ntiro was the Head of the NGO Department in the Prime Minister’s Office.
One of the many ground-breaking and change-making actions Joyce Mpanga was able to accomplish was to have the little funding that her Ministry was allotted in the 1988/89 national budget, channelled to the education of women initiatives.
“An empowered woman is a better person, mother, worker and citizen capable of taking advantage of opportunities to contribute, lead, make change, have her voice heard and skills employed,” noted Queen Nagginda.
She added: “I thank the University leadership for making this lecture an annual event, which I believe is an affirmation that the inspiration we need, need not be foreign.”
On February 20, 1959, Prof. Josephine Namboze became the first female to graduate with a Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery (as it was called back then) from Makerere College.
The Licentiate enabled its holders to apply to join the British Medical Council and practice medicine in Britain and throughout the British Commonwealth countries.
“Prof. Namboze at over 90 years of age continues to inspire and mentor many women. The late Sarah Ndyewoha Ntiro was loved by various institutions as their own,” said Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe.
“However, she continues to hold a special place in our hearts at Makerere, so we continue to honour her legacy. In a special way, it gives me great pleasure to welcome HRH Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, back to Makerere University.”
