Uganda Parliament Honors Seasoned Politician and Educationist Joyce Mpanga

Uganda’s Parliament recently convened to honor the remarkable legacy of Joyce Rovincer Mpanga, a distinguished former Member of Parliament and Minister. Known for her substantial contributions to women’s empowerment and the education sector, Ms. Mpanga, who passed away at the age of 90 on November 18, 2023, left an indelible mark as an educationist, women’s rights advocate, and seasoned politician.

In a special sitting on November 21, 2023, chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Members of Parliament paid homage to Ms. Mpanga’s achievements. She was celebrated as the third woman in East Africa to attain a university degree, the first Ugandan woman to secure a US Fulbright scholarship, and the pioneering female lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Makerere University.

Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama, the Third Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized Ms. Mpanga’s role in inspiring young women to pursue education. “Her achievements served as a beacon, motivating young females to strive for admission at Makerere University. Furthermore, she ardently advocated for affirmative action at public universities, facilitating increased access for girls to embrace education,” noted Nakadama.

Ms. Mpanga’s distinguished career, evolving from a classroom teacher to a cabinet minister, reflects her resilience in an era when women faced formidable barriers in education, politics, and development.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, highlighted Ms. Mpanga’s significant influence in shaping Uganda’s education policies. “Her counsel to President Museveni on the management of the education sector, universal primary education, and the non-regulation of fees in private schools will be remembered,” remarked Mpuuga.

Members of Parliament who served alongside Ms. Mpanga in the 6th Parliament praised her as a mentor, underscoring her generous sharing of legislative experience to guide and support young MPs.

“In the 6th Parliament, I was a young girl, and she was protective of me. She once advised me, saying it’s time to get married, but to be careful to choose a good man. She stressed the importance of balancing politics and family in marriage,” shared Hon. Naome Kabasharira (NRM, Ntungamo District Woman MP).

Kabasharira commended Ms. Mpanga for successfully managing politics and raising a prosperous family despite being widowed at an early age.

Jimmy Akena, the son of former President Milton Obote and Lira East Division MP, expressed gratitude for Ms. Mpanga’s mentorship of his mother, the then-first lady, Miria Obote, into politics. Akena shared a personal encounter, stating, “Mpanga always reached out to people. I was privileged to host her on my day of swearing-in as a Member of Parliament. She shared penetrating insights, drawing from her political experience, on what is expected of me as a leader.”

In the political realm, Ms. Mpanga was a trailblazer, among the first females to join the pre-independence Legislative Council (LEGCO) in 1960. Subsequently, she became the first Minister for Women’s Affairs in 1988 and the State Minister for Primary Education in 1991. Additionally, she was a founding member of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), the inaugural chairperson of the Pan African Women Organization, and Uganda Women’s Efforts to Save Orphans (UWESO).

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa noted that Parliament records, as documented in the Hansard, depict Ms. Mpanga as a stalwart fighter against corruption and a champion for the welfare of marginalized groups.

In a fitting tribute, the House passed a motion to name an institute in any public university after Joyce Mpanga, moved by Dokolo district Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal.

Joyce Rovincer Mpanga’s legacy will endure as a beacon for future generations, inspiring progress in education, women’s rights, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Her life’s work reflects not only her personal triumphs but also her profound impact on the landscape of Ugandan education and politics.