Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has highlighted women’s representation in Uganda’s Parliament and Cabinet at a global parliamentary forum in Mongolia, citing women’s growing presence in leadership while calling for measures to translate numerical gains into greater influence over decision-making.
Tayebwa, who led Uganda’s delegation to the World Women Parliamentarians Forum in Ulaanbaatar, said the country had taken deliberate steps to increase women’s participation in governance since President Museveni came to power in 1986.
Speaking at the two-day forum, held from October 12 to 13 under the theme From Representation to Influence in the Decision-Making Process, Tayebwa emphasised the importance of women’s participation in Parliament and Cabinet in promoting inclusive development.
“Uganda has taken deliberate steps to increase women's participation in governance since 1986 when President Museveni came into leadership. We believe that women representation in both Parliament and Cabinet is critical for inclusive development,” Tayebwa said.
He cited figures from Uganda’s 12th Parliament, saying women account for 187 of the 529 MPs, representing about 35 per cent of the membership.
Women also account for 49 per cent of Cabinet, according to figures he presented to delegates.
However, Tayebwa said increasing the number of women in leadership positions was not enough, arguing that further measures were needed to ensure they had greater influence over decisions and policymaking.
“We have made progress on numbers, but we must now take further measures to give women greater influence in decision-making processes,” he said.
The World Women Parliamentarians Forum brings together women leaders and parliamentary delegations from different countries to exchange experiences and strategies for strengthening women’s participation in governance.
Discussions at the forum focus on moving beyond numerical representation to ensure women have a meaningful role in shaping policies and decisions.