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The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has expressed concern over the low number of women joining the army.
According to Chris Magezi, the acting spokesperson for the UPDF, the force has made efforts to encourage female recruitment, but many women continue to shy away from joining the army as a profession.
“The UPDF has been actively encouraging women in the country to join the army, but at the time of recruitment, more women continue to shy away from joining the army as a profession,” he said.
“We rarely hit the required quotas we reserve for women. But those who have had the courage to join the UPDF are doing absolutely well.”
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Magezi, as such, called on young Ugandan women to consider joining the army, adding that joining the military in one's youth is crucial to enable successful training and advancement through the ranks.
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Challenges in Representation and Gender Inequality
Women only make up about four per cent of the total force, a figure that limits their representation in higher ranks.
"We only have one brigadier and two colonels. Who will speak for us when there are only male bosses?" said Colonel Rebecca Mpagi, the UPDF Director for Women Affairs.
She stressed the need for greater representation of women in policy committees within the UPDF to ensure that female voices are heard in decision-making processes.
Addressing Gender-Based Challenges in the UPDF
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Over the years, women in the UPDF have faced a series of challenges, some of which are deeply concerning.
There have been documented cases of sexual harassment by male superiors, where women officers were allegedly pressured into advancing their careers through sexual favours.
Several women officers reported being denied promotions after rejecting such advances, with some remaining stuck at the same rank for up to 27 years.
In addition to these challenges, there have been instances where women, especially those who are pregnant, feel their concerns are dismissed by supervisors.
Other issues include the lack of adequate uniforms and delayed salaries, which further compound the difficulties faced by women in the armed forces.