Kampala, Uganda – The Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) has launched the LeadHERship Digital Resource Hub, a groundbreaking online platform designed to equip Ugandan women with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to successfully run for political office ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The hub serves as a one-stop center featuring a wide range of campaign resources—including training manuals, frequently asked questions, strategy handbooks, and inspirational stories from experienced women leaders.
FOWODE Executive Director Patricia Babiha said the hub builds on decades of work supporting women’s leadership and responds to the growing need for inclusive, accessible tools—especially for women who cannot attend in-person trainings.
“This platform allows aspiring candidates to access accurate, updated campaign resources anytime,” Babiha said. “We have consolidated training materials, planning guides, and a publication titled The Winning Campaign, which walks women through budgeting, team building, manifesto development, and what to do on polling day.”
Babiha also criticized the Electoral Commission for what she described as a deliberate failure to provide sufficient civic education, warning that the resulting information gap contributes to ignorance and electoral violence, particularly targeting women candidates.
“If the Electoral Commission doesn’t do its part in educating the citizenry, then we’re losing as a country. People can’t claim their rights if they don’t know them. This silence is partly responsible for the violence and voter manipulation we see,” she added.
Bashira Nantongo, an aspiring Member of Parliament for Busiro North on the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) ticket was among the panelists during the launch. She proposed raising the minimum academic qualifications for MPs beyond the current Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (Senior 6), arguing that more educated legislators would improve service delivery.
“We need leaders who can articulate issues effectively. If the government were delivering services well, we wouldn’t need so much opposition. Staying long in Parliament isn’t the problem—it’s what you do with that time,” she said.
Nantongo, who first entered politics at age 21 as Guild President of the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), emphasized that young women are prepared to lead.
“We’re coming in boots and hijabs. We’re not just coming to win—we’re coming to transform,” she stated.
Amaniyo Sheila, an aspiring Woman MP for Mukono District, applauded FOWODE for the initiative but echoed concerns about the lack of civic education, blaming the Electoral Commission for failing in its mandate.
“Why is there no civic education being passed on to the electorate? I believe this has been a deliberate act by the government,” Sheila said. “The Electoral Commission is mandated and funded to carry out civic education about elections, voters’ rights, and democratic processes. But they have failed to do this. They’ve even blocked civil society organizations from stepping in—refusing licenses, certificates, or permission to run civic programs. So we are losing out as a country. Citizens remain ignorant. And that ignorance breeds violence, especially against women candidates. When people try to exercise their rights, they’re blocked. It is the Electoral Commission’s role to guide the public, and on this, they have failed.”
