From Facilitator to Flag Bearer: How Hadijah Found Her Voice to Lead

Hadijah Nangonzi engages with residents during her door-to-door campaign trail in Kiteete Parish, Namungo Sub-county.
Hadijah Nangonzi engages with residents during her door-to-door campaign trail in Kiteete Parish, Namungo Sub-county.

For years, Hadijah Nangonzi carried a silent dream. A 44-year-old mother of four living in Butale Village, Mityana District, Hadijah aspired to contest for leadership positions but was held back by a crippling lack of confidence and determination. She possessed the passion to serve but lacked the self-belief to stand before her community and ask for their vote. This struggle defined her until she crossed paths with Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) during the Women’s Amplified Voice and Empowerment (WAVE) project in Kiteete Parish.

FOWODE trained Hadijah as a Trainer of Trainers (ToT), equipping her with skills to mobilize, mentor and guide other women in civic participation and leadership. In this role, she facilitated community training sessions and dialogues, encouraging fellow women to step forward and claim leadership spaces.

The training sessions she led became her own training ground. “As I was influencing women to participate in leadership, I was also inspired and developed self-confidence that I can be a candidate,” Hadijah recalled.

Refusing to let fear hold her back, Hadijah decided to break the glass ceiling and contest for  sub-county councillorship in the 2026 elections. The transition from a dreamer to a candidate came with challenges, especially the daunting

task of raising campaign funds. However, using the local philanthropy and lobbying skills she gained from the FOWODE trainings, she bypassed the financial hurdles that usually keep women out of politics. Her hard work paid off, and she claimed victory.

Hadijah’s victory has inspired many women in her sub-county to believe that they too can contest and win with confidence and resilience. She has already become a multiplier of change, influencing and supporting three fellow women to contest for sub-county women councillor positions, two of whom won.

The official declaration form confirming Hon. Hadijah's victory in the 2026 election.
The official declaration form confirming Hon. Hadijah’s victory in the 2026 election.

“My current position is inspiring many women. Before, some doubted whether it was possible, but now they see that a woman can step forward, contest, and win,” she remarked.

Looking ahead, Hadijah’s ambition is fueled by a desire to serve and create space for others. In five years, she plans to contest for the Speakership position to steer decision-making on women’s issues. She now joins a growing cadre of over 30,000 women leaders nurtured by FOWODE, proving that the organization’s investment in women’s leadership goes beyond winning an election, it creates a ripple effect where one empowered woman opens the door for many others.