NRM Sweeps National Women Council Leadership as Four Flagbearers Declared Unopposed

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has secured a clean sweep of all four positions on the National Women Council Executive Committee after its flagbearers were declared unopposed during the National Women Conference held on Friday at Kyambogo College School.

The four NRM candidates — Ann Lumumba Ruyondo as Chairperson, Agnes Kirabo as Vice Chairperson, Hope Nantukunda as Secretary for Finance and Among Shakila Mwenyi as Publicity Secretary — were declared unopposed by the Independent Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Benjamin Ewalu.

The development followed the withdrawal of Joy Ruth Acheng, who had been nominated as an independent candidate for the position of Chairperson.

Acheng announced her decision to withdraw from the race before the Electoral Commission Returning Officer, saying she had taken the decision in the interest of unity among women and within the NRM family.

“After wide consultations and deep reflection, I stand down from the race. I don't want anything that divides the women and the NRM family,” Acheng said.

She called upon her supporters to rally behind the incoming National Women Council Chairperson, Ruyondo, and work together to advance the development and empowerment of women across the country.

The withdrawal effectively left the four NRM flagbearers without challengers, paving the way for their declaration as unopposed winners.

In her remarks after being declared the incoming Chairperson, Ruyondo thanked the women leaders for placing their confidence in her leadership.

“You have given me trust, and I won't disappoint you. We promised a lot in our campaigns and with your support we shall deliver,” Ruyondo said.

She also expressed gratitude to the women leaders for selecting her from among what she described as many capable and potential women leaders across the country.

“Thank you for choosing me out of the many potential women leaders,” she said.

Ruyondo paid tribute to the outgoing National Women Council Chairperson, Faridah Kiboowa, and her executive committee, commending them for their contribution towards strengthening and elevating the council.

She pledged to build on the achievements of the outgoing leadership and work with the new executive committee and women leaders at all levels to deliver programmes and initiatives that respond to the needs and aspirations of women throughout Uganda.

The incoming Chairperson said her leadership would be guided by the commitments made during the campaign period, stressing that the new executive would work to fulfil its promises with the support of women leaders across the country.

The unopposed victory represents a significant success for the NRM, whose candidates have now taken all four positions on the apex executive body of the National Women Council.

The National Women Council Executive Committee is expected to play a key role in coordinating and championing women's participation, leadership and development programmes at the national level.

Friday's elections also marked the conclusion of the electoral calendar for the National Women Council elections, bringing to an end a process that began at the grassroots and progressed through the different levels of women's committees.

With the new executive now in place, attention is expected to shift towards the implementation of its leadership agenda and strengthening cooperation among women leaders across the country to promote development, participation and unity.

The new leadership, headed by Ruyondo, will take over from the outgoing executive with expectations high that it will consolidate the gains made by its predecessors while addressing the emerging needs and priorities of women across Uganda.