By Elijah Khisa
Ann Ruyondo Lumumba, the NRM party flag bearer-elect for chairperson of the National Women’s Council, has pledged to build the capacity of rural women through strategic entrepreneurship training to enable them to compete effectively in economic empowerment programmes.
Lumumba made the pledge on September 2, 2026, shortly after she was elected the NRM party’s flag bearer for chairperson of the National Women’s Council at the NRM Electoral Commission offices in Kyadondo.
She defeated the incumbent, Hajjati Farida Kibowa, securing 109 votes against Kibowa’s 25.
Lumumba appealed to delegates to elect her during the forthcoming national elections scheduled for Friday, September 4, at Kololo Independence Grounds, saying she would use the new mandate to advance the rural women’s emancipation agenda.
She thanked the 148 delegates who voted for her, describing her landslide victory as a victory for both the NRM party and the women’s movement.
Lumumba pledged to advocate for inclusive policies aimed at mobilising resources and creating training opportunities to help vulnerable rural women overcome poverty.
She also dismissed allegations by her opponent, Kibowa, that she had hidden some delegates and bribed others to secure victory.
Lumumba described the allegations as baseless outbursts intended to divert attention from the substantive issues concerning the future leadership of the women’s council.
Meanwhile, Agnes Kirabo Nantongo, the NRM party vice chairperson of the National Women’s Council flag bearer-elect, said she would lobby for programmes and projects aimed at improving the welfare of women across the country without discrimination.
Kirabo, who recently contested for the Luwero District Woman Member of Parliament seat on the NRM ticket but lost to incumbent NUP MP Brenda Nabukenya, said she would use her political networks to secure regional projects and programmes that contribute to the collective development of women.
At the election exercise, the NRM National Chairperson of the Women’s League, Adrine Kobusingye, who was the chief guest, warned candidates against contesting as independents in Friday’s national elections.
“We would like to discourage any candidate among us who may have a desire to stand as an independent because our flag bearers must win in a clean, classic election. Therefore, anyone who breaches our rules may face consequences,” she cautioned.
Her remarks were echoed by NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi, who also warned against the emergence of independent candidates in the national elections.
Odoi urged NRM delegates to vote for the party’s flag bearers to ensure a harmonised outcome in the elections.
