By Prossy Namiiro
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director, Dorothy Kisaka has called for deliberate effort to cultivate leadership skills and self-confidence among young women and guide them to a fulfilling and rewarding future.
Kisaka said this while speaking to young women leaders who gathered at Makerere University during the women in leadership symposium.
“I am passionate about leadership and helping these young women is very key to our transformation,” Kisaka said.
In her interactive address to the students, Kisaka gave her most salient piece of advice to the women on how best they can succeed in life.
“In everything you do, think long term. About your studies, your career, finances and your physical well-being,” Kisaka said.
“Action habit lifestyle; take action today on what you are planning to do tomorrow. This is your time to show impact, to live with urgency. You are going to be very influential if you think strategically all your life,” she said.
Kisaka told the women leaders to appreciate the way God created them and use these special attributes to cause change in society.
The National Female Youth MP Phiona Nyamutoro said women in leadership have come a long away in society especially in Africa, but the fight for equal rights continues.
“We have come from the kitchen to the boardrooms, but the challenges keep changing from time to time. Pushing forward we shall reach a time beyond the narrative of equality to where we are all treated as humans,” Nyamutoro said.
She decried the sexualisation of politics in Uganda which she has personally experienced on several occasions.
“Sexualisation of politics is real, it is affecting women. I experienced it during my campaigns but we should not bow down. We should speak up against these problems,” Nyamutoro said.
She encouraged women and men to all equally support women in leadership.
“Maximize your time as a leader and leave a mark behind to create more opportunities for other women,” Nyamutoro said.
The Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, said the symposium was an opportunity to reemphasize the rights of women.
“To groom future leaders, we need to start with the young generations. Women are taught a lot of don’ts by their parents. Don’t climb a tree, don’t talk on top of your voice. But we are here to encourage women to be different,” Nyanjura said.
