Minister Bahati Graces Ugandan Women Achievers Exhibition

The Minister of State for Industries, David Bahati on Saturday joined young women and students at the exhibition of extraordinary Ugandan women at the Uganda Museum.

Founders Portia Owera and her twin sister Keisha Patience said the history of women achievers have not been fully captured hence their intervention to showcase Ugandan women whose achievements and life stories inspire the nation.

“Women’s history has been excluded from mainstream history which has had the effect of telling only half of the story. And as a result, we as a society view women’s history as an abstract category and we, therefore, fail to sense their actual presence or know about their real experiences,” said Portia.

Named “Because of Her”, the exhibition held during the week of International Women’s Day Celebrations, is said to be focused on celebrating the women inspiring others.

“It is important to celebrate women in Uganda whose life stories and achievements inspire so many Ugandans,” she said.
They noted that Uganda Museum is well suited to showcase Ugandan women achievers.

“The Uganda museum has hosted multiple exhibits and I feel it important that our history as Ugandans is authentically showcased. It is important to celebrate women in Uganda whose life stories and achievements inspire so many Ugandans,” said Keisha.

The leading profile at the exhibition was Queen Muhumuza, whose story is said to be not well captured unlike the stories of her counterparts Omukama Kabalega and Kabaka Mutesa.

“Very little has been taught to the Ugandan public about Queen Muhumuza of the Kigezi region who unlike her counterparts Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro and Kabaka Mutesa of Buganda,” said Keisha.

Bahati commended the two young ladies in their 20s for coming up with the initiative to showcase the Ugandan women achievers.

“I am privileged and amazed by the wonderful idea of these young ladies advocating for good of all women. This is inspiring,” said Bahati.
He noted the research the ladies carried out to profile figures like Queen Muhumuza.

“I grew up from Kigezi and we had always heard about Queen Muhumuza. Today I have learnt much about her, thanks to the extensive research by these girls,” he added.

The Minister said Government interventions in the areas of maternal health, opening political space for women, universal primary and secondary education and others are meant to give women full potential to gain from the economy.

The Because of Her exhibition has categories including showcasing first female professionals in Uganda and those who have consolidated the achievements.