Ann Lumumba Ruyondo has formally taken over leadership of the National Women’s Council after winning the September elections, in which National Resistance Movement candidates secured all four top executive positions.
Ann Lumumba Ruyondo has been sworn in as chairperson of the National Women’s Council (NWC), succeeding Hajjat Faridah Kibowa after nationwide elections concluded in September.
Lumumba took the oath of office on Thursday at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, formally assuming leadership of the public body responsible for mobilising women and promoting their participation in Uganda’s social, economic and political development.
Her swearing-in follows the September 4 elections at Kyambogo College School, where National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates secured all four top positions on the National Women’s Executive Committee. Lumumba won the chairperson position, while Agnes Kirabo, Hope Natukunda and Shakila Among Mwenyi took the vice chairperson, secretary for finance and publicity secretary positions, respectively. <Cite refs={["turn131544search0","turn131544search8"]}/>
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong congratulated Lumumba, his wife, on assuming the leadership role, expressing confidence in her and the incoming executive team.
“Congratulations to my dear wife Ann Lumumba Todwong, as you officially take your oath of office as Chairperson of the National Women’s Council. I congratulate you and your entire executive team on earning the trust of the women of Uganda. May your leadership champion WanawakeMbele and advance the voices, welfare, and empowerment of women across our country. Wishing you a successful and impactful tenure,” Todwong said.
The National Women’s Council operates under the National Women’s Council Act, 1993, as amended, and falls under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. Its mandate includes organising women into a unified body, coordinating their activities and promoting their participation in national development. <Cite refs={["turn131544search1"]}/>
The council has structures stretching from village and parish or ward levels to sub-county, town, municipal or city division, district and national levels, providing a framework through which women can raise concerns, coordinate development initiatives and participate in public affairs. <Cite refs={["turn131544search1"]}/>
Lumumba’s new role places her at the head of the national leadership structure, where she will work with the executive committee and lower-level councils to advance the organisation’s mandate.
Her tenure begins as the council transitions from Kibowa’s leadership to a new executive team following the nationwide electoral process.