Strengthening Grassroots Women Rights Organizations in Northern Uganda

In May 2025, Ms. Rita H. Aciro, the Executive Director of Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET), conducted an intentional and strategic monitoring visit to UWONET’s implementing partners in the districts of Gulu and Nwoya. The visit was made to Mission Uganda and Invisible Hope Uganda respectively.

The primary purpose was to engage directly with district-based women’s rights networks, assess the working relationship between UWONET and its partners, and gain a deeper understanding of partners’ activities. Additionally, the Executive Director sought to gather feedback to inform the ongoing review of our current Strategic Plan (2019–2028). This feedback was crucial in evaluating the relevance and effectiveness of UWONET’s approach of working through district partners in sustaining the women’s movement in Uganda.

UWONET has spearheaded several projects in Northern Uganda, all aligned with its mission to advance women’s rights and promote gender equality. At the sub regional level, these initiatives are implemented in collaboration with District Women’s Rights Networks (DWRNs), a structure that anchors UWONET’s work through district-based Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs). Current projects include:

Why UWONET works with and through District Based Women Rights Networks (DWN)

Left to right; Mrs. Shallon Acwee the ED of Mission Uganda in Gulu, Rita Aciro ED UWONET and Mr. Grant Opio the ED of Invisible Hope Uganda in Nwoya. This was taken during the visit in Gulu district.

Engaging local institutions is vital in addressing community-specific issues effectively. The institutions have a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and political dynamics within their respective communities, making them best placed to lead localized interventions. Through this model, UWONET empowered community-based organizations to take ownership of their development agenda, thus making interventions more relevant, impactful, and sustainable

Another key objective of the approach is to build and strengthen linkages between grassroots activism and national level advocacy. By working closely with district partners, UWONET ensures that the concerns and priorities of women at the local level are reflected in the national discourse and policy advocacy efforts. This two-way linkage enriches both the grassroots and national movements in promoting a more inclusive and representative women’s rights agenda.

Through this approach, UWONET has supported the networks’ institutional development by providing capacity building initiatives, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The support includes sharing vital information, resources, and tools that enhance the operational efficiency and strategic direction of district partners. The efforts have increased the functionality and effectiveness of these organizations and have also positioned them as key players in their regions, able to influence local development agendas.

UWONET’s partnership model is designed to ensure that the women’s movement remains vibrant and resilient beyond the lifespan of specific projects. The focus is not solely on achieving project deliverables, but on fostering long-term relationships and building institutional foundations that promote sustainability, resilience, and collective action. By nurturing these partnerships, UWONET laid the groundwork for a robust and unified movement for gender equality and women’s empowerment across Uganda.

In conclusion, the Executive Director’s strategic monitoring visit highlighted the vital role of UWONET’s models in advancing gender equality and women’s rights through localized, sustainable, and impactful interventions. By working through District Women’s Rights Networks, UWONET continues to strengthen grassroots institutions, amplify local voices, and bridge the gap between community needs and national advocacy.