Struggles of Women in Uganda’s Political Parties: A Closer Look

Despite electoral gender quotas in Uganda being in place since 1989, the representation of women in the country’s parliament continues to face challenges. The 40% minimum quota for women set by most political party constitutions is often not met, with women’s representation averaging around 30%, highlighting the struggle for gender equality within political parties.

A recent study examined the power structures of six prominent political parties in Uganda, including the National Resistance Movement, Democratic Party, Forum for Democratic Change, Alliance for National Transformation, Uganda People’s Congress, and the National Unity Platform. The research revealed significant gaps in addressing barriers against women’s effective political participation.

Despite the presence of women’s leagues in party structures, their roles are often limited to logistical support and mobilization of the women constituency during campaigns. This token representation fails to address the underlying issues hindering women’s active involvement in political decision-making.

The National Resistance Movement, Uganda’s ruling party, illustrates gendered structures within political parties. While the position of second vice-chairperson is typically held by a woman, the overall party structure remains male-dominated. With only one woman out of nine members in the central executive committee, the party mirrors wider societal gender biases.

Political parties in Uganda have yet to fully empower women within their ranks, perpetuating stereotypes that limit women to minority representation. The politicization of gender quotas by some parties further reinforces women’s dependency on the regime, rather than promoting their autonomy and agency in politics.