Gertrude Njuba
Gertrude Njuba (born November 26, 1944) is a Ugandan politician who was a key figure in the National Resistance Army (NRA) during the Ugandan Bush War where she held the rank of Captain and was known for her bravery and leadership on the battlefield. She later served in various positions in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, including as a member of parliament and presidential advisor. She has received several national medals of honor for her service to Uganda including the Order of the Nile, the Order of the Pearl of Africa, and the Golden Jubilee Medals.
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[edit]- NRA success in women emancipation and empowerment of persons with disabilities ever since 1986”
- “When the political environment became bad we organized ourselves with common interests and came together for a possible solution.
The Popular Resistance Army that gave birth to NRA was aiming at introducing a mass movement to change this country for the better. The largest mass that was produced was largely composed of women who were also recruited in the army. And I played a big role in these recruitments,”
- “Because of world history where women were treated with different contempt, we decided to create an affirmative action to tackle that belief,” she said, adding that, “Look at our government today and the cabinet itself. It is not the usual cabinet. Women are at the helm of leadership,”
- “We have so far achieved a lot in terms of democracy and human rights so we need to tighten a bit in order to consolidate this milestone. There are many sectors that are lacking women. It's high time women occupy that vacuum,”
- “The businessmen, the educated and government leaders especially commissioners should not stick to the standing orders that are rigid and hinder development”. She said adding that, “Sometimes we do not need certain things. Just identify the priorities and what we need that are in the interest of Africa”.
- “The large population is an immediate market. We cannot survive on a small population since we haven't learned how to create the market in the other way. Reducing the population is not a revolutionary thing. Africa is not yet full,”
- “We are going to ensure that Africa is a free trade zone. We are also going to ensure that these railways connect all our countries. This politics we are preaching will succeed if people have what to eat and that is if Africans are united,”
- We are seeing people are no longer respecting their leaders. We can't work that way because we have human rights”.