Brig Gen Charity Bainababo has pledged a spectacular all-female parade ahead of International Women’s Day celebrations scheduled for March 8, 2026.
The Director of Women’s Affairs in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) made the remarks during an interview at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where she is overseeing intensive band and parade rehearsals.
This year’s parade will feature only women drawn from the UPDF, the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Prisons Service and the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
“We are rehearsing as ladies because this year’s parade is all ladies, only ladies. I have been watching their rehearsals, overseeing and they are ready. We will give you a marvelous show,” Brig Gen Bainababo said.
The 2026 celebrations will run under the theme: “Scaling up Investment to Accelerate Access to Justice for all Women and Girls in Uganda.”
Brig Gen Bainababo traced the origins of International Women’s Day to early 20th-century movements in which women demanded justice, equality and fair working conditions. She said the annual event honours women’s achievements while recognizing the continued struggle for equal opportunity.
“As the armed forces, our role here is to secure all the people of Uganda, including the women, to be able to take part in this acceleration of investment. It is our duty as the armed forces to secure you, all Ugandans, so that you can go about your business without any threat,” she said.
She linked gender inclusion in the UPDF to the liberation struggle and the National Resistance Army’s 10-point programme, which emphasized equal participation.
The Director paid tribute to pioneering female officers, including retired Lt Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso, for opening space for women in uniform.
Brig Gen Bainababo acknowledged progress in female representation within the force but said the 30 percent target has not yet been reached.
“We are not yet at the 30 percent, but it’s a work in progress. We have ladies rising to levels of general and senior officers, Colonel, lieutenant Colonel and Major, through the ranks to Private. Training does not discriminate us. We are given quotas and we do all the line courses that allow us to progress in our careers. So, thumbs up to the UPDF fraternity because we have been given a chance to prove our worth,” she said.
She urged Ugandans, especially youth, to focus on wealth creation and to embrace government programmes such as the Parish Development Model and Presidential Skilling Centres.
As part of the celebrations, the Directorate of Women’s Affairs will conduct a medical camp on March 5, 2026, at Kikete in Kamwokya, Kampala, as a community outreach initiative.
The all-female parade is expected to headline the national Women’s Day event at Kololo.
