news 28 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Single Mothers Push for Key Role in Uganda's Economic Initiatives
The International Network for Single Mothers in Uganda demands structural inclusion in national economic programs, positioning themselves as vital contributors to household and national growth rather than mere welfare recipients. With a network of over 17,000 women impacting 400,000 children, they offer partnership potential for poverty reduction and skills development. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/single-mothers-demand-inclusion-in-national-economic-programmes-5406388
Single mothers represented by the International Network for Single Mothers (INSM) Uganda have urged the government to integrate them fully into economic development efforts. Speaking to journalists in Kampala, INSM chairperson Winifred Nassanga emphasized shifting perceptions from vulnerability to economic agency.
“We demand structural inclusion to enable full participation in wealth creation,” Ms Nassanga stated, rejecting the safety-net label that has long sidelined them from opportunities.
The group boasts a robust grassroots presence with over 17,000 members across divisions, including parish-level leadership. In 2025, they rallied more than 10,000 women in Makindye and Kampala, proving their mobilization strength for national programs like poverty alleviation and job creation.
Current efforts focus on skills training in commercial agriculture and tourism, helping members shift from subsistence to market-competitive enterprises and retain value from their produce.
Ms Nassanga highlighted the ripple effects: empowering single mothers boosts child health, nutrition, and education for over 400,000 dependents in their network, enhancing overall national progress.
She called on policymakers to involve single mothers directly in program design and execution to avoid stifling Uganda’s development potential.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)