After a six-month field-based survey conducted by Public Opinions across Uganda—during which Ugandans nominated the top 18 Uganda Women Empowerment Champions—Public Opinions is proud to present this list of the greatest contributors to the socioeconomic development of women in Uganda.
Each winner was inducted onto the Public Opinions Uganda Women Empowerment Hall of Fame Poster (2025/2026), recognized with the Responsible Investment Global Award by Public Opinions, and inducted into the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions and Responsible Investments (2025/2026).
1. Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja
Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda
Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja became Uganda’s first female Prime Minister in June 2021, serving as the head of government business in Parliament. She routinely utilizes community tours and local development funds to urge women’s groups and religious organizations to engage in income-generating activities and embrace government initiatives like the Parish Development Model. She has been at the forefront of fighting corruption and ensuring better service delivery all over Uganda to the benefit of women.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
2. Dr. Francisca Ayodeji Akala
Country Manager, World Bank Uganda
Dr. Francisca Ayodeji Akala is credited for driving key initiatives in Uganda focused on women’s economic empowerment, notably through the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, analytical policy framing, and adolescent empowerment programs. She has partnered with the Africa Gender Innovation Lab to prove that girl-only safe spaces and clubs providing vocational and life skills significantly increase young women’s independent income.Furthermore, she has promoted women’s financial inclusion initiatives and boosted transparency and accountability in public service in Uganda.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
3. Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni
First Lady of Uganda and Minister of Education and Sports
Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni’s many achievements in the women and social sectors include founding the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), championing rural women’s economic programs, and advancing girl-child education as Minister of Education and Sports. She created the National Strategy for the Advancement of Rural Women in Uganda (NSARWU) to help village women build small businesses and gain money management skills. Over the years, she has promoted local SACCOs and government financial inclusion plans—such as the Parish Development Model—to help women get out of poverty. Additionally, she has pushed for equal school access and focused on safety and facilities for young girls in schools. Committed to gender mainstreaming, equity, and equality, she has also heavily focused on combating corruption and promoting transparency and accountability.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
4. H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
President of the Republic of Uganda
The NRM Government, under the visionary leadership of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has transformed the lives of women in Uganda through a comprehensive strategy of affirmative action, economic empowerment, and expanded educational access. By institutionalizing special seats for District Woman Representatives in Parliament and local councils, the administration has elevated women into key decision-making roles, resulting in a judiciary that is now over 50.6% female. Economic independence is prioritized through the Presidential Initiative on Skilling the Girl Child, the GROW Project, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and Emyooga, among other programs. The government has dismantled traditional gender barriers within the national armed forces (UPDF), allowing women to serve in diverse capacities previously reserved for men. His leadership has ensured that women are not only participants but primary drivers of Uganda’s national development.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
5. His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II
Kabaka of the Kingdom of Buganda
His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has advanced women’s empowerment through key initiatives,including appointing female ministers in the Buganda Kingdom cabinet, supporting the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, and mobilizing resources for maternal health and fistula campaigns. He has championed grassroots women’s savings and self-help groups through development programs like CBS PEEWOSA and integrated women leaders into county (Masaza) and sub-county development committees. He has mobilized resources and medical drives for women suffering from obstetric fistula, partnered with health organizations to target adolescent girls and young women through prevention programs, promoted safe motherhood initiatives and community health infrastructure across Buganda, and encouraged women to participate in the Mwanyi Telimba Initiative.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
6. His Majesty William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV
Kyabazinga of Busoga Kingdom
His Majesty William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV has dedicated himself to promoting the education of the girl child. Leading the campaign to put a stop to forced marriages, he has over the years committed himself to fighting teenage pregnancies and female genital mutilation. He has traversed the Busoga sub-region preaching financial inclusion and encouraging women to form SACCOs to benefit from government programs.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
7. His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV
King of Toro Kingdom
His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has promoted initiatives aimed at reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission and improving healthcare access for expectant mothers in the region. He has supported efforts to address health vulnerabilities disproportionately affecting young women and girls, launching specific advocacy campaigns in partnership with the Uganda AIDS Commission and UN Women to return young mothers and schoolgirls who dropped out during crises or lockdowns back to classrooms. Furthermore, he has publicly advocated for ending violence against women and girls, noting that empowered women guarantee a prosperous society.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
8. Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda
The Queen of the Kingdom of Buganda
In 2000, Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda established the Nnabagereka Foundation, which spearheads health campaigns, girls’ education advocacy, and community support. She founded the Ekisaakaate Program—a renowned non-formal cultural mentorship camp initiated by the Queen that has successfully trained and guided over 40,000 young women since 2008. She has also supported the annual economic forum backed by kingdom leadership, which connects thousands of women entrepreneurs, farmers, and leaders to build financial literacy and cooperatives.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
9. Dr. Ruth Aisha Kasolo
Project Coordinator, GROW Project
Dr. Ruth Aisha Kasolo has successfully led the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project in Uganda, which has achieved major milestones by disbursing over Shs 133 billion to women-owned businesses, reaching more than 430, 280 women with entrepreneurial services, and expanding low-cost financing and regional business training. She continues to engage women all over Uganda to start businesses while also focusing on their families, and she is a great promoter of equity and equality.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
10. H.E. Major (Rtd.) Jessica Alupo
Vice President of the Republic of Uganda
H.E. Major (Rtd.) Jessica Alupo has consistently championed women’s inclusion in parliament, local councils, and public service. She routinely channels financial backing and Presidential grants to women-led local groups and farmer enterprises, and has rallied leaders to fight domestic violence, early marriages, and defilement to protect the development cycle of young girls.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
11. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba
Chief of Defence Forces (UPDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations
Recognizing that corruption largely affects women, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has over the years dedicated himself to fighting corruption at all levels. He announced a plan to redirect his official CDF allowances into a functioning savings and credit cooperative organization (SACCO) for women in Uganda. He has publicly emphasized the importance of educating girls, referencing the sentiment that “women hold up half the sky” during a community fundraising event for a girls’ school in Rushere, while also promoting the recruitment of women into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
12. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso
Senior Presidential Advisor on Military Affairs
Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso is the most senior and highly decorated female officer in the history of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and has been named as the most senior female military leader in the whole of Africa. She has dedicated her life to promoting the rights of women all over Uganda and has inspired many women to join the armed forces.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
13. Dr. Diana Atwiine
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health
Dr. Diana Atwiine has led a national campaign to fight drug theft in hospitals and promoted the transition to a single-dose HPV vaccination for 10-year-old girls to improve coverage and protection from cervical cancer. She has also promoted collaborations with partners like Softcare Uganda to supply health facilities with essential maternal and menstrual hygiene commodities, alongside championing the fight against malaria all over Uganda.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
14. Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh)
Chief Coordinator, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC)
Apart from his role in the liberation of Uganda, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh) has been at the forefront of promoting a money economy strategy targeting women all over Uganda. Through his leadership as Chief Coordinator of OWC, local women’s groups and smallholders participate in agricultural value-chain and outgrower initiatives (such as cooperative cassava and coffee schemes) intended to transition rural households from subsistence farming to commercial production.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
15. Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA)
Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako has been credited for promoting and ensuring reliable and affordable electricity all over Uganda, thereby benefiting women in cottage industries. She designed the Uganda-Kenya and Uganda-Rwanda regional power transmission interconnections in 2010, spearheaded the execution of the Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariff (GET FiT) framework from 2012 to 2021 to boost private renewable investments, and led the 2014–2016 national LED energy-saving bulb distribution project, saving roughly 30 megawatts of peak grid demand. She has been described by President Museveni as a loyal NRM cadre who is incorruptible and dedicated to the national development agenda.
Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
16. Rt. Hon. Charles Peter Mayiga
Katikkiro of the Kingdom of Buganda
Rt. Hon. Charles Peter Mayiga has over the years traversed all parts of Buganda promoting financial inclusion,women’s rights, and women’s empowerment. He has described women as the basis for socioeconomic transformation and has consistently stated that no country can develop without involving women in political leadership and private sector development strategies. He is also commended for promoting the Mwanyi Telimba Initiative, encouraging women to participate in coffee growing.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
17. Haji Yunus Kakande
Secretary, Office of the President
Haji Yunus Kakande has worked tirelessly to promote women’s participation in political leadership and to increase the number of women serving as Resident District Commissioners (RDCs). Having visited many districts of Uganda advocating for women’s rights and economic involvement, he vehemently promotes women’s economic support, girl-child skilling, and encourages women to form SACCOs and participate in the Parish Development Model. He is also passionately dedicated to the fight against corruption in Uganda.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
18. H.E. Jan Sadek
Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Uganda
Under his leadership, the European Union in Uganda has achieved major milestones in empowering women and girls, focusing on ending violence, boosting economic opportunities, and improving social inclusion. He has backed multi-million euro initiatives (such as Team Europe and EIB packages with local banks) to secure green and decent jobs, credit access, and business training for women-led micro-enterprises. Furthermore, he has promoted investment in capital grants and business incubators specifically designed for small-scale women traders and sustainable energy access, supported inclusive schooling and community projects (like Together Tukola) that provide school scholarships for girls alongside direct business grants to their mothers, and funded targeted programs in northern Uganda addressing life skills, health rights, and school retention.Recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award and inducted in the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions 2026.
The personalities above were nominated by the people of Uganda during the Public Opinions field-based survey. Henceforth, they were recognized by Public Opinions with the Responsible Investment Global Award as Uganda Women Empowerment Champions and were inducted onto the Public Opinions Uganda Women Empowerment Hall of Fame Poster. They have also been confirmed for induction into the Public Opinions Journal for Certified Development Champions and Responsible Investments 2026 in appreciation of their contributions toward socioeconomic transformation and the empowerment of the women of Uganda, who are the mothers of the nation.
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