Former Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza has urged women leaders in Parliament to remain firm and defend their political space as investigations into corruption allegations involving Speaker Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among continue to stir national debate.
In a letter to women leaders, especially newly elected MPs, Kiiza said the current situation has placed women in leadership under intense scrutiny, warning that it risks undermining the progress made in expanding female representation in politics.
She acknowledged that the controversy has created uncertainty among women leaders, but insisted that it should not lead to withdrawal from leadership contests or parliamentary negotiations.
“These are undeniably challenging times for the women’s movement in Uganda,” she said, noting that allegations facing senior female leaders have “cast a long shadow” over gains achieved over the years.
Kiiza called on women MPs not to allow the actions or alleged misconduct of one individual to be used as a basis for weakening women’s participation in governance.
She stressed that representation in Parliament remains essential for balanced decision-making and inclusive leadership.
She further argued that corruption should be handled through individual accountability rather than being extended to an entire group.
According to her, punishing a category of leaders based on the conduct of one person would set a dangerous precedent for governance.
“Corruption remains a systemic challenge that must be addressed through individual accountability, never through collective punishment,” she stated.
Kiiza also made an appeal to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), led by President Yoweri Museveni under NRM Online, to avoid any moves that could result in excluding women from parliamentary leadership positions.
She warned that shifting toward an all-male leadership structure in Parliament would reverse gains made in promoting gender inclusion in public office.
Kiiza pointed out that Uganda has never responded to leadership failures by excluding an entire gender from governance, saying it would be inconsistent to do so now.
She concluded by calling for restraint and fairness in ongoing political discussions, urging stakeholders to protect inclusive representation as Parliament navigates a sensitive political moment marked by scrutiny, accountability debates, and leadership uncertainty.