The Jane Frances Abodo has urged female officers in the Uganda Police Force to embrace resilience, build confidence, and continuously invest in personal growth as they pursue opportunities within the force.
Justice Abodo made the remarks while officiating as Chief Guest at the 3rd Annual Female Police Officers Conference held at Police Headquarters in Naguru. She emphasized that meaningful empowerment goes beyond increasing the number of women in the force, calling for deliberate efforts to support their rise into leadership positions.
“Without intentional support, many women risk remaining excluded from leadership spaces,” she noted, stressing the importance of equipping female officers to actively influence policy and decision-making processes.
The conference, organized by the Police Department of Gender and Women Affairs in partnership with UN Women, was held under the theme: “Empowering Female Police Leadership for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Policing.”
Earlier, Adekemi Ndieli, Deputy Country Representative at UN Women, called for bold and collective action to advance women’s leadership within the force. She reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the Uganda Police through training and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening gender-responsive policing.
Ndieli commended the progress made in recruiting and deploying more women officers but noted that additional efforts are required to ensure their full participation in leadership and operational roles.
Hadijah Namutebi, Director of Welfare, Production and Sports, challenged female officers to position themselves strategically for leadership by increasing their visibility and engagement in decision-making spaces. She also emphasized the need for transparent, merit-based promotion systems, alongside deliberate investment in mentorship, training, and professional exposure.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Jesse Kamunanwire highlighted that leadership should not be defined solely by rank, but by influence, integrity, and the ability to inspire change. He encouraged female officers to build strong professional networks and adopt practical strategies to enhance their effectiveness in service.
The conference featured a range of discussions addressing key issues affecting female officers and the broader community, including physical and mental health, family dynamics, and personal development.
Bringing together senior female officers, police leadership, representatives from UN Women, and academia, the annual conference continues to serve as a vital platform for sharing experiences, addressing challenges, and developing actionable strategies to strengthen female leadership within the force.
Now in its third edition, the conference has grown into a key forum for promoting gender-responsive policing and enhancing service delivery through inclusive leadership.
