The Centre for Basic Research (CBR) recently hosted a thought-provoking seminar on Gender and Elections in Uganda, featuring Hon. Adeke Anna Ebaju, the District Woman MP and member of the opposition from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
In her powerful address, Hon. Adeke shed light on the systemic challenges that women face in Uganda’s electoral and democratic processes. She emphasized how violence, militarization of politics, economic disempowerment, and cultural biases continue to marginalize women, particularly those in opposition politics.
She highlighted critical issues such as:
🔹 The political violence that disproportionately affects women, discouraging their participation in governance.
🔹 The patronage system, which limits women’s access to resources and political influence.
🔹 The stereotypes and social expectations that create barriers for women in leadership roles.
🔹 The commercialization of politics, making it harder for women to compete fairly.
Hon. Adeke passionately called for collective action to push back against political violence and discrimination, urging both men and women to advocate for a gender-just electoral process.
Following her speech, Dr. Tabita from the School of Women and Gender Studies provided an academic perspective on the intersection of gender, youth participation, and the militarization of politics. She emphasized the need for research-driven advocacy to transform Uganda’s political landscape.