By Diana N. Kintu
The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babalanda, has called for increased and sustained investment in women and girls as a critical step towards accelerating access to justice and promoting inclusive empowerment across Uganda.
She made the remarks while presiding over the post-International Women’s Day celebrations held at Kakooge Primary School in Buyende District. The event was organised under the theme: “Scaling Up Investment to Accelerate Access to Justice for All Women and Girls.”The theme, she noted, reflects the urgent need for practical interventions aimed at addressing persistent barriers that hinder women and girls from fully enjoying their rights.
Hon. Babalanda emphasised that empowering women goes far beyond rhetoric, underscoring the importance of deliberate, coordinated action. “Empowering women goes beyond words; it requires deliberate action to ensure that every woman and girl can access justice, enjoy her rights, and participate fully in the development of our nation,” she stated. She added that investment in women should be viewed as a strategic priority for national development rather than a peripheral concern.
The Minister expressed her appreciation to the people of Buyende District for their continued support for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and for overwhelmingly voting for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in previous elections. According to her, this support demonstrates public confidence in leadership that has consistently prioritised gender equality and the empowerment of women.
“This was a clear vote of confidence in a leader who has consistently championed the rights, dignity, and empowerment of women across Uganda,” she said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to advancing gender-responsive policies and programmes.
Hon. Babalanda also extended her gratitude to the residents of Buyende for entrusting her with leadership roles, including her election as Member of Parliament for Budiope West and as Chairperson of the NRM Women’s League in the district. She highlighted a range of initiatives she has supported to uplift women economically, including financial assistance through Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs), distribution of poultry to households, and mobilisation of communities to benefit from government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
“By the grace of God, I have managed to support women’s groups in Buyende through financial support and empowerment initiatives aimed at improving household incomes and livelihoods,” she noted.
She further urged women to actively participate in these government programmes, stressing that their success largely depends on community engagement, unity, and proper utilisation of resources. “Government programmes are in place to support them, but their success depends on active involvement and unity among beneficiaries,” she emphasised.
Addressing the issue of access to justice, Hon. Babalanda called upon communities, leaders, and institutions to work collectively to eliminate barriers that prevent women and girls from seeking justice. She particularly highlighted the need to address gender-based violence, which remains a significant challenge in many communities.
“Justice must be available, accessible, and fair to all, regardless of gender or social status,” she stressed, adding that strengthening legal awareness and support systems is essential to protecting the rights of vulnerable groups.
In addition, she encouraged women to embrace opportunities within the money economy by participating in SACCOs and engaging in income-generating activities. She noted that economic empowerment is a key pillar in enabling women to assert their rights and improve their quality of life.
“Investing in women and girls is not just a moral obligation but a pathway to sustainable development for our families, our communities, and our nation,” she said.
Hon. Babalanda concluded by commending the people of Buyende District for their continued commitment to development initiatives and urged them to remain united in advancing socio-economic transformation.
“Women are the backbone of our society. When we empower a woman, we empower a nation,” she said.