Ambassador Aceng Launches Bid for National Women Council Chairperson

What the report says

Ambassador Joy Ruth Aceng has launched her campaign for chairperson of Uganda’s National Women Council, saying she wants to bring women together, widen economic opportunities and strengthen women’s influence in leadership and decision-making. Nile Post reported that she made the announcement while speaking to women leaders and other stakeholders, framing her bid as a service-oriented effort focused on unity and representation.

According to the report, Aceng, who previously headed Uganda’s mission in Canada, said she wants a council that listens to women and ensures their concerns feed into government plans and programmes. She said her background in diplomacy, leadership and public service would help her strengthen the council’s role. Her priorities include improving women’s access to support for livelihoods and business, boosting women’s representation across sectors, and expanding opportunities for teenage girls through practical skills training.

She also said women council leaders should play a stronger role in preventing and responding to gender-based violence, helping monitor government programme delivery, and taking part in local planning so women’s issues are reflected in development decisions. Aceng further highlighted health concerns such as cervical, ovarian and breast cancer, saying grassroots women leaders and Village Health Teams could help raise awareness and encourage early care.

The report places her bid in the wider context of women’s political and social representation in Uganda. It also notes, as background, that her diplomatic tenure in Canada ended in 2024 after she was declared persona non grata following a confrontation with protesters. Nile Post did not link that episode directly to her current candidacy.