People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) Woman MP Nyakato Asinansi has secured a key position in the new Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) Executive Committee, emerging unopposed as the representative of the Western Region.
Nyakato’s election is part of a strong performance by opposition legislators in the UWOPA elections, with opposition MPs scooping three positions on the 14-member Executive Committee, including two of the association’s five top leadership positions.
The elections were held at Parliament and observed by Parliamentary Backbenchers Commissioners.
A second-term legislator and Shadow Minister for Works and Transport, Nyakato brings parliamentary experience, political mobilisation skills and a strong regional network to the new UWOPA leadership.
Her election is particularly significant for Western Uganda, where she is the only opposition woman MP in the entire region.
This places Nyakato in a unique position to represent the voices and concerns of women from the region while also contributing to UWOPA’s national advocacy agenda.
Her experience in mobilisation and grassroots engagement is expected to strengthen UWOPA’s outreach and programmes across Western Uganda.
Nyakato is also expected to bring to UWOPA the experience of a legislator who has consistently engaged with national policy debates, particularly in the transport and infrastructure sectors.
Her election comes at a time when UWOPA is seeking to strengthen its role as a platform that brings women legislators together regardless of political affiliation.
The association has historically played an important role in nurturing women leaders and has been associated with prominent women political figures and advocates, including Miria Matembe and Winnie Byanyima.
Nyakato’s presence on the Executive is therefore expected to add another strong opposition voice to an organisation with a long history of promoting women’s participation in leadership.
Her role as Western Region representative is also expected to give the region a stronger voice in UWOPA decision-making and increase the association’s engagement with women leaders at grassroots level.
“Nyakato brings mobilisation and advocacy experience that will be important in making UWOPA more vibrant and visible across the country,” an observer said.
The other opposition legislators elected to the Executive are Betty Ethel Naluyima, Wakiso District Woman MP and Shadow Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, who becomes Publicity Secretary, and Sheila Amanyio Draville, Mukono District Woman MP and Shadow Minister for Information and Anti-Corruption, who becomes Treasurer.
The new UWOPA Executive is headed by Hon. Linda Ouma, Woman MP for Lira District, who takes over from former Woman MP Sarah Opendi.
Nyakato’s election is being viewed as an opportunity to strengthen the representation of women from Western Uganda while contributing to a more inclusive, politically diverse and vibrant UWOPA leadership.
With her second-term parliamentary experience, regional reach and mobilisation background, Nyakato is expected to play a central role in strengthening UWOPA’s grassroots engagement and advocacy for women across the country.