During the International Women’s Day festivities at Butemba College in Kyankwanzi District on March 8, 2025, eight police officers were honored with medals for their exemplary service.
Among the recipients was Commissioner of Police Sarah Kibwiika, the deputy director of human resource administration, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Order medal.
Other honorees included Superintendent of Police Godfrey Opar Ongwen, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Byarabaha, and ASP Fatuma Nadunga, along with Inspector of Police (IP) Juliet Akech, all of whom received the long service medal.
Inspector of Police Godfrey Moris Ntende was recognized with the diamond jubilee medal, while Sergeant Stellar Asapo earned the Meritorious medal.
Additionally, Police Constable Phiona Nakasero was presented with a personal sacrifice medal.
The event also saw the presence of several high-ranking officials, including AIGP Moses Kafeero, the Director of Human Resource Development; AIGP Hadijja Namutebi, the Director of Welfare Production and Sports; AIGP Wasswa David Ssengendo, the Director of Counter Terrorism; AIGP Apora James, the Director of Logistics and Engineering; and AIGP Stephen Tanui, the Director of Fire and Rescue Services.
International Women’s Day, celebrated every year on March 8, brings people together globally to honor the accomplishments of women while advocating for the elimination of gender inequalities and violence against women.
On his official X page, previously known as Twitter, the President of Uganda Gen. (RTD) Yoweri Museveni, who served as the Chief Guest at the national event, also took a moment to recognize three remarkable women who he credits as significant influences in his life.
“On this day of celebrating women, I have three women who have been pivotal to my life: Mama Esteri Kokundeka, who toiled with us on her back and cooked with rudimentary methods, such as firewood, etc. The second woman is Maama Janet; however, unlike my mother, she never carried any of our children on her back or used firewood to cook. This also applies to the third- my daughters; they have also lived a very different life from my mother,” he added.
He emphasized that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government that he leads aims for every Ugandan woman to experience a life akin to that of Maama Janet (his wife), rather than his mother, Esteri.
He pointed out that this is why the NRM promotes five strategies to enhance gender equality and lift “our people out of poverty”.
The strategies include educating the public on wealth creation (Boona Bagagawale), providing free education to empower Ugandan women (Boona Basoome), and equipping the girl child with skills through our nationwide skilling hubs, with success stories that resonate strongly.
However, he emphasized that discussing women’s liberation is incomplete without also addressing the liberation of society as a whole.
“And it is a good opportunity to hear how the people in Kyankwanzi are very unsatisfied with some of our programmes. I take all this feedback well, and we shall act on it,” he added.
