Lamwo | Gender stereotypes and a lack of gender-responsive programming, particularly within the Church and other development programs, continue to impede progress throughout the country.
Despite the fact that women make up the majority of voters who elect men to office, they are still underrepresented in positions of power.
Regina Akullu, an aspirant for Lamwo County MP, raised the issue on March 25, 2025, while speaking to attendees as the chief guest at the Mary’s Day celebration.
The event, organized by the Church of Uganda Diocese of Kitgum in Lamwo district, brought together five parishes: Potika, Agoro, Paloga, Madi Opei, and Padibe.
The three-day gathering featured enriching sessions on testimonies, holiness, protection of marriage, holy matrimony education, administration, gender-based violence, and conflict management, among other topics.
Akullu Regina, a former Agago district gender officer, urged women in the Acholi subregion to actively participate in leadership, emphasizing the importance of influence, mobilization, and organization.
She stated that collective action has the potential to drive significant change.
Florence Atare, president of the Mothers’ Union of Kitgum Diocese, urged mothers in Kitgum, Agago, Pader, and Lamwo districts to set a good example by nurturing their children.
The president expressed concern about the changing family dynamics, in which some mothers are abandoning their traditional roles.
She also stated that the recently completed training provided an opportunity to strengthen and rebuild marriages and families in Uganda, which aligned with the event’s theme, “Family Life Improvement.”
Rev. Ocan Franco Magellan, parish priest of Pajimo Parish in Labongo Akwang sub-county, Kitgum district, encouraged mothers to continue praying and to keep prayer diaries to listen, trust, and obey God’s guidance for their families.
Regina Akullu also emphasized the importance of increasing female representation in leadership. She noted that many women in participating parishes already hold positions of leadership, including Local Council leaders, Reverends, Deacons, and Councilors.
Given that women make up the majority of Uganda’s population, she argued that it is crucial to have more women in leadership at various levels.
She addressed common misconceptions regarding women’s eligibility to contest for parliamentary positions, stating that the Ugandan constitution allows any qualified individual to run for office.
However, stereotypes persist, limiting women’s political participation. Akullu stressed the need for civic education to help communities understand that leadership qualities are not gender-dependent.
Expressing confidence in her political aspirations, Akullu believes she will secure the Lamwo County MP seat in the 2026 general elections.
She highlighted the importance of electing individuals capable of analyzing policies and advocating for comprehensive governance that includes youth, persons with disabilities, men, women, children, and the elderly.
Akullu brings extensive experience to her candidacy, having served in various capacities as a civil servant for eight years. She previously worked as a gender officer, community development officer (CDO), sub-county chief, human rights activist, community mobilizer, and youth engagement specialist.
Between 2008 and 2009, she served as the CDO for Atanga sub-county in Pader before being promoted to sub-county chief for Lamio sub-county in Agago in 2010.
From 2011 to 2015, she was the district gender officer for Agago, overseeing gender-related issues. She later transitioned into politics in 2016, contesting for Agago district woman MP but was unsuccessful due to insufficient voter support.
Akullu remains determined to secure a parliamentary seat in 2026, emphasizing the need for competent leaders who can propose policies that benefit all sectors of society, rather than those chosen solely for their financial status or business influence.
By Vincent Kaguta
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