Kotido, Uganda: Newly elected Kotido District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Nuria Hafsa Teko has pledged to strengthen women’s participation in governance by creating platforms that enable them to organise, raise community concerns and contribute to decision-making.
Speaking during an accountability interface meeting held at Kotido Court Hall on Wednesday, Teko said her leadership will focus on ensuring women have a stronger voice in shaping development priorities and holding public leaders accountable.
The meeting brought together women monitors, education officials, municipal leaders and political representatives to discuss challenges affecting education service delivery in Kotido Municipality.
“When you receive information, take it back to the rural women. Politics is done; now we must unite and help our people,” Teko said.
She urged women leaders to move beyond political divisions and work together to address challenges including poverty, food insecurity, poor education outcomes and limited access to essential public services.
Drawing on her experience as a women’s rights advocate before entering Parliament, Teko said empowering women begins by creating safe spaces where they can openly discuss community issues and develop practical solutions.
“I know the importance of women coming together because I was part of this journey before becoming a Member of Parliament. Women need spaces where they can speak freely, identify their challenges and find solutions together,” she said.
The legislator announced plans to establish a women’s club that will bring together women from across the district to discuss governance issues, share experiences and formulate proposals that can be presented to government leaders.
She also pledged to lobby for the construction of a dedicated women’s centre where community members can regularly meet and engage policymakers.
“We need a place where women can come together, discuss their issues and engage leaders. When women have a voice and a platform, communities benefit,” Teko added.
The MP commended Nakere Rural Women Activists (NARWOA) for empowering women to participate in governance and accountability initiatives.
“I appreciate NARWOA for the work they have done in supporting women’s voices. Many women have gained confidence to engage leaders and demand better services because of these initiatives,” she said.
Her remarks followed presentations by community monitors from the Kotido Female Elders Forum and the Kotido Central Women’s Network, who highlighted persistent challenges affecting Kotido Army Primary School and Lomukura Primary School.
The women reported overcrowded classrooms, inadequate sanitation facilities, insufficient staff accommodation, limited learning infrastructure and high levels of pupil absenteeism.
Teko said evidence gathered directly by community members provides leaders with a clearer understanding of service delivery challenges.
“When citizens participate in monitoring services, leaders are able to understand the real challenges affecting communities and respond better,” she said.
NARWOA Executive Director Jessica Ruth Ataa said women’s participation in accountability processes remains essential for ensuring that community concerns reach decision-makers and translate into improved public services.
Representing the Resident District Commissioner’s office, Assistant RDC Lokwii Peter Abrahams commended women for actively monitoring government programmes and encouraged continued collaboration between citizens and public officials.
The accountability meeting was held under the Women’s Amplified Voice for Accountability (WAVA) Project, implemented by the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) in partnership with NARWOA, with support from the Embassies of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden in Uganda.
The initiative seeks to strengthen women’s participation in governance by equipping them to monitor public services, engage duty bearers and advocate for improved accountability and gender-responsive service delivery.
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