As Ugandan prepares to go for the polls next year, leaders in power are deciding whether to stand again or step aside in the upcoming elections. Just a couple of weeks ago, the current Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng announced that she would be standing again in the next polls.
Contrary to that, former leader of opposition, Ms Winnie Kiiza has decided to quit active politics after serving for 3 years. In a statement realised by Kiiza onto her social media, she said she will remain active with the forces of change but she wouldn’t’t offer herself for political positions in the 2021 General elections.
While addressing the media on Tuesday she said , “I have continuously talked about overstaying in power, I will not be different if I sought office this time. I know the people of Kasese loved me and wanted me to continue being their Member of Parliament.”
She added that, “It’s a job I loved doing because I knew I had the backing of my people had their support. I want to thank you for the support you’ve given me.”
Kiiza’s joined full-time politics in 1996 to 2001 political season, during which she served on the Kasese District Local Council as the District Secretary for Finance. In 2001, she was reelected to the district council, serving as Secretary for Education and later Secretary for Social Services.
She contested the Kasese District Women’s parliamentary seat in 2006, on the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) political party ticket. She won and was elected in 2011[5] and in 2016.
In May 2016, Kiiza, at age 44, was appointed Leader of Opposition in the parliament of Uganda, making her the first woman to assume that position in the history of the country.