Ann Lumumba Sworn In As National Women’s Council Chairperson

What the report says

Ann Lumumba Ruyondo has been sworn in as chairperson of Uganda’s National Women’s Council, formally taking over from Hajjat Faridah Kibowa after the council’s nationwide elections concluded in September. The swearing-in took place on Thursday at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, according to Nile Post, marking the start of a new leadership team for the public body that coordinates women’s participation in national development.

The report says Lumumba’s election followed the September 4 vote at Kyambogo College School, where National Resistance Movement candidates won all four top positions on the National Women’s Executive Committee. Alongside Lumumba’s chairperson win, Agnes Kirabo, Hope Natukunda and Shakila Among Mwenyi were elected to the vice chairperson, secretary for finance and publicity secretary roles, respectively.

Nile Post also reported that NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong congratulated Lumumba and the incoming executive, expressing confidence in their leadership. In the article, the council is described as operating under the National Women’s Council Act and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, with structures reaching from village level to the national tier.

The change matters because the National Women’s Council serves as an important channel for organising women, coordinating local and national initiatives and promoting women’s voices in public affairs. The transition comes as the council moves from Kibowa’s tenure to a new executive elected through the nationwide process.