Minister Amongi cautions young female aspirants against exploitation by men

 

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, has advised young women aspirants to exercise self-control to avoid being exploited by men, especially as campaigns for the 2026 general elections draw nearer.

Amongi, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Oyam South Constituency, reminded young female aspirants of the preciousness and importance of a woman’s image, especially in Uganda’s politics, which remains largely male-dominated.

“When you’re in politics, men will come for you. When they get what they want, they discard you. It will be your integrity and reputation on the line. Be careful with the weapon called sex in politics because it can destroy you. Those in privileged positions will promise you connections and appointments, but their aim is to sleep with you. Once they accomplish their mission, all the friends will know because they’ll discuss you with others,” Amongi cautioned.

She made these remarks on March 27, during an evening fireplace conversation between young and seasoned women leaders from various political parties at Ndere Centre in Ntinda.

Despite the progress in women’s empowerment over the years, Uganda’s political landscape remains male-dominated, with women facing challenges such as gender stereotypes, inadequate mentorship, sexism, financial constraints, and policy gaps.

Amongi further encouraged young women leaders vying for competitive positions to not only use manifestos that are grounded in real-world issues, but also step out of their comfort zones to seek mentorship and training in public speaking.

“When contesting for any electoral position, go to the grassroots and identify the needs of the people. Find out the interests of different stakeholders. Visit churches, local places of worship, and the community to understand your area and articulate issues clearly. What you say in one sub-county may differ from what you say in another. Get leadership training and practice public speaking to master the art,” Amongi advised.

For her part, Flavia Nabagabe Kalule, the Woman Member of Parliament for Kassanda district under the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, urged aspiring young women leaders to leverage their networks to propel them to their desired positions.

“Your networks will push you toward the positions you aim for. This doesn’t mean begging for money, but rather utilizing your connections. Don’t seek high-profile men and women to sleep with in exchange for political support. When engaging with women, organize people in your area and invite your role model to help address the audience. Let people buy into your dreams. Look for organizations with projects and partner with them to bring initiatives into your constituencies,” Nabagabe advised.

Primus Atukwatse Bahiigi, the Country Director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), challenged young women aspirants not only to liberate themselves but also the people they aim to lead. He also advised them to start by contesting for lower positions as they build experience and rise through the ranks to become future members of parliament and other influential positions.

“We can choose to lament endlessly, or we can take action. If you choose to act on behalf of the women of this country, Uganda can become a model. Do not point fingers elsewhere. Begin with yourself to advance women’s participation, regardless of the position you hold,” Atukwatse said.

Organized under the keynote address on accelerating action against barriers to women’s participation in politics, the fireplace conversations served as a platform for women across generations to share experiences, discuss obstacles, and develop actionable strategies to dismantle these barriers. By bridging the gap between experienced and emerging voices, these dialogues aim to inspire collective action and accelerate progress toward greater political representation for women in Uganda.