The theme for Women’s Day Celebrations 2025 in Uganda was “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality.” I wonder, what actions are to be accelerated? Is it gender equality we seek or more equity? I query. I think it, but don’t say it out loud.

I let out a nervous laugh instead. At least that is how I think the hundreds of women who thronged the official Women’s Day celebrations that were held on 8th March 2025 at Bukwiri Village in Kyankwanzi District processed their discomfort; with nervous laughter.

A valid explanation for how come it was that a video clip of an ‘ordinary woman’ speaking truth to power, to President Museveni, on Women’s Day trended. Ironically, in the video clip, the woman critiques her fellow women, the elite, as she narrates her lived experiences striving to access credit from Government programs.

Thrilled to see Elder Esteri Nanvubya (second left) recognized and standing on the podium next to President Museveni during Women’s Day Celebrations 2025. During my time as part of the leadership of Uganda Change Agent Association, Esteri was among the beneficiaries of the Change Agent Training Program, a trained Change Agent, who was among the 2007 recipients of the UCAA Award of Merit for her commitment and services to disadvantaged communities in Kiboga. She was severally singled out in a positive way by President Museveni, during his speech.

As the ‘ordinary woman’ in the video clip narrated to President Museveni how funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM), ring-fenced and intended for disadvantage but hardworking women at the grassroots, are instead benefiting elite women, the gathering roared with laughter.

Nervous laughter, me thinks, at least for the organizers wondering how the General might take the critique. Certainly, when he asked for the contact details of the woman, so he may ensure she receives answers to the tough questions she had asked, the nervous laughter of the elite women was not to be mistaken.

Then in the video clip, the woman provided a grassroots report on the World Bank financed “Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women’s Enterprises (GROW)” credit facility. Basically, revealing her insufficient understanding that GROW is targeted towards the more elite business woman as compared to PDM.

Women entertaining during Women’s Day celebrations 2025 at Kyankwanzi District. Photo Source @ New Vision.

Eliciting more nervous laughter. Some, those in the know, likely found it hilarious how the politicians labored not to tell the ‘ordinary woman’ the truth. But, instead chose to politic and make unrealistic promises of how they are going to make sure GROW is accessible to all women, kind of thing.

Well, according to official Government reports, in its first year, GROW has under-performed. Of the Shs. 75.1 billion made available for women enterprises to borrow, only 25 percent (Shs. 18.5 billion) was spent, leaving Shs. 56.6 billion unspent within the period it was expected to have been spent.

This is a nervous laughter eliciting status quo. Apparently, moreover, some women who went to the banks to access the funds were told the disbursed funds were all gone and already borrowed. Which begs the question why the disconnect? Was the design of GROW well thought through for the Uganda context?

No wonder, “Government has engaged the World Bank to onboard microfinance deposit taking institutions that will offer loans that do not require collateral” to administrate credit under the GROW Project, it is reported. Nervously she laughs. Why was this not already done in the first place as part of original GROW design?

Women of the Uganda Defense Forces (UPDF) during Women’s Day Celebrations 2025 at Kyanakwanzi. Photo Source @ State House. Perhaps the most successful countrywide savings and credit cooperative society in Uganda is Wazalendo, of the UPDF.

Clearly, there is a significant disconnection between the ‘ordinary woman’ and the elite woman; and the ‘ordinary woman’ and the State. The most logical reaction is nervous laughter when she hears: “Uganda is more democratic than many of the European countries,” as President Museveni is quoted having said.

One of those European countries “Sweden is still way behind Uganda when it comes to women representatives in political positions,” Ambassador of Sweden Hakansson is quoted having provided context. With nervous laughter the ‘ordinary woman’ second guesses herself, is this really true? She questions, how so?

Numerically, certainly, Uganda may have more numbers of women in political positions; but does this hold true qualitatively as well? I mean, truthfully, for example, to what extent are Woman Members of Parliament effectively working in Parliament, in a non-partisan manner, in order to further the interests of their constituency, all women?

Ambassador of Sweden with President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni during Women’s Day Celebrations 2025 at Kyakwanzi. Photo Source @ State House.

And that is why, frequently, I laugh nervously when I hear and or read statements made about the realities of women. I need to to preserve my sanity. It is my defense mechanism to deal with the emotions such statements elicit. I laugh nervously to distract from the pain and to reduce the anxiety and stress.

But still I hope that when I reach out to our Woman Member of Parliament, she who represents my home district, Pallisa in the 11th Parliament, will be open to support and promote our CPAR Uganda “Uganda women’s economic empowerment loan fund” as an appropriate conduit for the GROW credit facility.

CLICK HERE to learn more and to donate in support of the CPAR Uganda “Uganda Women’s Economic Empowerment Loan Fund Project”