The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has urged female police officers to embrace resilience, build confidence, and continuously add value to themselves as they pursue opportunities within the Uganda Police Force.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the 3rd Annual Female Police Officers Conference held at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Justice Abodo emphasized that true empowerment goes beyond numbers.
She called for deliberate support to enable more women rise into leadership positions, noting that without intentional efforts, many may remain excluded from decision-making spaces.
She stressed the importance of empowering women to actively influence policy and leadership.
The conference, organized by the Department of Gender and Women Affairs in collaboration 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 and strengthen gender-responsive reporting.
She reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the Uganda Police Force through training and capacity building to promote inclusive policing.
Ndieli also commended the progress made in the recruitment and deployment of women within the Force, but noted that more effort is needed to fully empower them and increase their participation in leadership and operational roles.
AIGP Hadijah Namutebi, Director of Welfare, Production and Sports, challenged female officers to position themselves for leadership by increasing their visibility and participation in decision-making processes.
She emphasized the need for transparent promotion systems based on merit and performance, alongside deliberate mentorship, training, and exposure.
Meanwhile, AIGP Jesse Kamunanwire, Director of Human Resource Administration, who represented the Inspector General of Police, said leadership should not be defined by rank but by influence, integrity, and the ability to inspire change.
He encouraged female officers to build strong support networks and adopt practical strategies within their areas of service.
The conference also featured discussions on key issues affecting female officers and the wider community, including physical and mental health, family dynamics, personal growth, and challenges faced by women in both the Force and society.
The event brought together senior female officers from across the country, focusing on strengthening leadership capacity and promoting gender-responsive policing.
Now in its third edition, the conference has grown into a key platform that convenes female officers, senior police leadership, UN Women, and representatives from higher institutions of learning.
