Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. After more than two decades of internal economic and political strife, a new administration ushered in a constitution where human rights were more widely protected. The Ministry of Women in Development and other women’s rights groups heavily influenced the drafting of the constitution that declares, “The State shall ensure gender balance and fair representation of marginalized groups on all constitutional and other bodies.” In 2007, The Equal Opportunities Commission Act was enacted to eliminate gender discrimination, and allowed the state to implement “affirmative action in favor of groups marginalized on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them.” Uganda ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1985 and passed multiple laws prohibiting violence against women including the 2010 Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Act and the 2010 Domestic Violence Act. In 2021, the government passed the Succession Bill which eliminated the discriminatory law that gave preference to the male child in cases of inheritance and land ownership. However, despite guaranteed equality under the law women in Uganda continue to face discrimination and gender-based violence. According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey in 2016, 22 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced some form of sexual violence, and approximately one million women are exposed to sexual violence every year. Another significant issue is unwanted teenage pregnancy and early marriage, and according to the Ministry of Health, 25 percent of Ugandan teenagers become pregnant by the age of 19, and nearly half are married before their 18th birthday. Fortunately, feminism runs deep in Uganda, and organizations such as Uganda For Her, Logoa Women, and the Girl Up Initiative are providing services for victims of violence while promoting the rights of women guaranteed to them by law.
Sporting opportunities are limited for women and girls in Uganda due to gender stereotypes and societal expectations. With minimal investment and the lack of safe sporting facilities, women have been forced to stay on the sidelines. Despite the barriers, female athletes have been great competitors on the international stage since they first participated in the 1964 Olympic Games. The “She Cranes” national netball team has made three Netball World Cup appearances finishing seventh in 2019. The team is currently ranked sixth in the International Netball Federation World Rankings. Dorcus Inzikuru won Uganda’s first athletics world title when she became the 3000m steeplechase champion in 2005. A year later, she won the event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In 2011, Motorsport athlete, Suzan Muwonge became the first woman to win the National Rally Championship. Seven years later she reclaimed the title and now has her sights set on the African Championship.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Uganda:
Agnes Masajja Baluka
Immaculate Nalwadda (Chocho)
Majidah Nantanda
Aisha Nassanga
How does Uganda compare to other countries?
Where do you want to explore next?
Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
35%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
37%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
No
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Janet Museveni, 2016 - Present
Title IX Timeline
1962
Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom on October 9. Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1964
Irene Muyanga and Mary Musani, two athletics athletes, became the first women to represent Uganda in the Olympics.
1985
Uganda ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
2000
Prossy Tusabe, a swimmer, became the first woman to represent Uganda at the Paralympics.
2008
Uganda signed the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, affirming that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict, the delivery of relief and recovery efforts and in the forging of lasting peace.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
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0
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0
-
2
-
2
-
6
-
5
-
8
-
11
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14
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
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0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
2
-
1
-
3
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1964
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
As of 2020, women's participation was still less than men's.
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
2000
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
2000
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1998
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1997
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
The NBA and the Basketball Africa League are working together across Africa to raise awareness about gender-based violence, support girls’ education, and increase female involvement in basketball at all levels.
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
For More Information
NBA + Basketball Africa League Partnership
FIBA Strategic Objectives
LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Major Regional Or Country Sport Initiatives
Soccer Without Borders (SWB) Kampala launched their Girls Empowerment Program in 2015 to address the numerous barriers for female participants in sport.
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
Uganda Baseball and Softball Association
Uganda Sports Women’s Association
