Rising Against Injustice: Siifa’s Journey to Transformative Leadership

At 56, Siifa Nanyonga, a small-scale farmer and chairperson of Nabigoye Catering Services in Lyantonde, had spent years watching men dominate community leadership while women were relegated to the sidelines. Yet deep down, Siifa knew women had more to offer and she was determined to prove it. Though she had always participated in village discussions, Siifa lacked the confidence to confront the injustices around her. As the women’s chairperson at LCI level, she faced constant challenges working under an autocratic LCI chairperson who abused his power by charging for services meant to be free. Despite recognising that these practices as wrong, Siifa felt ill-equipped to speak out. All that changed when she attended FOWODE’s leadership training under the AWESOME project. The sessions gave her more than knowledge, they awakened her power. She learned about her rights, her responsibilities as a leader, and how to advocate for justice and equality. With new tools and renewed confidence, Siifa stepped into her leadership with purpose and boldness. Her transformation was immediate and impactful. Siifa began educating her community on how to report Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases, advocated for women’s economic empowerment, and courageously confronted the corrupt practices of the LCI chairperson. Her voice became a beacon of justice, and her actions earned her admiration and trust from the community members. One of Siifa’s proudest moments was rescuing two young girls from child labor and helping them return to school, an act that solidified her role as a champion for women’s and children’s rights. Siifa has her eyes set on bigger change. No longer content with being on the sidelines, she is contesting for Local Council chairperson, determined to dislodge poor leadership and to create a system where justice isn’t hindered by corruption and where women lead fearlessly. For 30 years, FOWODE has empowered over 30,000 women like Siifa to raise their voices, challenge injustice, and lead transformation in their communities.