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President Yoweri Museveni was filled with pride after the Swedish Ambassador to Uganda acknowledged that Uganda has made greater strides in gender representation in politics than Sweden.
The commendation came during International Women’s Day celebrations in Kyankwanzi district on Saturday.
Ambassador Maria Håkansson in her comments noted Uganda’s progress in women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and legal frameworks to protect women and girls.
She described Uganda as a model nation within the subregion, with other countries learning from its policies.
Even countries in developed countries including Sweden, she said, are still trailing Uganda in this area.
“I have to say, I always get the question of how Sweden is doing compared to Uganda,” Håkansson stated.
“And I have to say with all humbleness that Sweden is still way behind Uganda when it comes to women's representation in political positions. Well done, Uganda.”
Museveni Declares Uganda’s Democracy Unique
President Museveni, visibly flattered by the praise, seized the moment to reiterate his long-held belief that Uganda’s democracy surpasses that of many Western nations.
“I want to thank the Swedish Ambassador because she is one of the most truthful people. Most people are not truthful,” Museveni remarked.
“She just declared here that we are better than them in practising democracy. This is what I have always said to them because often they confront me about democracy, and I always tell them that we are better than them.”
The President pointed to Uganda’s unique policies, such as the requirement that each district has a dedicated parliamentary seat for women, as an example of how Uganda is leading the way in political inclusivity.
“I tell them to be quiet because what we do here is quite unique. You will hardly find it anywhere else. Things like having a woman’s parliamentary seat for each district—this is unique,” he added.
Uganda’s Women Empowerment Gains Recognition
Uganda has made notable strides in empowering women, particularly in political representation.
The country has a robust framework supporting gender equality, with women holding key government positions, including the Vice Presidency, the Prime Ministership, and numerous ministerial roles.
The Ugandan government has consistently pushed for laws that protect women from violence, discrimination, and economic exclusion, making it a reference point for other African nations seeking to improve gender equality.