The feminist youth group "Because of Her Uganda" set up an exhibition as part of International Women's Day events. They wanted to celebrate how Ugandan women showed strength, created creative works, and helped shape their country over many years. This display honors the important roles women played throughout Uganda's past. Visitors can learn about female achievements often left out of history books.
Makerere University's art gallery hosts the display, which opened on March 7, 2025, and runs until March 19. Twin sisters Portia Uwera and Keshia Kenyangi started the Because of Her Uganda organization and created this showcase. They mentioned that this marks their fourth time arranging such an exhibition. Anyone can visit the gallery without paying an entrance fee.
The free exhibition features artwork and life stories of Ugandan women who earned recognition but rarely received it. The display brings attention to female contributions to politics, art, and community life throughout Uganda's history. These women shaped their nation in major ways, yet their names disappeared from many historical accounts. The organizers want visitors to learn these forgotten stories.
Uwera explained their main goal involves putting women back into the national story where they belong. She said women helped build the country and shaped its culture alongside men. The exhibit aims to correct how history books often skip female contributions despite their huge impact. Women played key roles in every major development throughout Uganda's past.
The exhibition fits into broader efforts to preserve female accomplishments across Uganda, according to Uwera. These stories become important when discussing equal rights between men and women today. Young girls need to see themselves represented in historical accounts of their nation. The display helps connect past female achievements with current struggles for equality.
The first section features amazing medical advances by Ugandan women before Europeans arrived. These medical practitioners performed complex surgeries long before Western doctors thought such procedures were possible. Their techniques saved countless lives through traditional knowledge passed between generations. Local healers developed methods that stunned foreign medical experts.
Visitors first encounter displays about Ugandan women who made scientific breakthroughs centuries ago. One highlight shows how local women performed successful cesarean births before colonial times. These female healers developed surgical skills that demonstrated their incredible innovation and bravery. Their medical knowledge proved revolutionary compared to what existed elsewhere.
European mothers usually died during cesarean births until modern times, but Ugandan healers saved both mothers and babies through advanced methods. Their surgical approach shocked Western medical professionals who visited the region. These local techniques worked effectively without modern equipment or hospitals. Female practitioners passed down this knowledge through generations.
British explorer Robert W Felkin witnessed Baganda healers complete a successful cesarean birth in 1879. He documented everything he saw with great detail and published his observations. The Edinburgh Medical Journal printed his account in 1884, spreading the word about these skills. His writings provide clear evidence that Ugandan surgical knowledge surpassed European capabilities.
European doctors feared cesarean births and attempted them just when mothers faced certain death. Uganda developed completely different approaches through local healing traditions. Healers across various Ugandan regions regularly performed these surgeries with both mother and baby surviving. Their success rates exceeded anything possible in European hospitals during that era.
Felkin described how the mother sat partially upright during the procedure instead of lying flat. She drank banana wine, which worked as medicine to reduce pain, calm her nerves, and clean the surgical area. The skilled healer used an iron knife to make a straight cut down her belly. This careful cutting avoided damage to important stomach muscles beneath the skin.
Healers gently pulled apart tissue layers using their hands to limit blood loss during surgery. After reaching the womb, they made another precise cut to take out the baby. They quickly cut and tied the umbilical cord before passing the newborn to helpers for cleaning. Next came a massage of the mother's womb, followed by the removal of the afterbirth material.
Female healers controlled bleeding by touching hot iron against leaking blood vessels, just like doctors do today with medical tools. They applied special plant medicines directly to the open wound right after stopping the blood flow. These herbs helped prevent infection and promote faster healing. The entire process followed careful steps refined over centuries.
The exhibition also features moon beads created by Ugandan women centuries ago. These bead systems tracked menstrual cycles by following the phases of the moon. Women crafted these tools long before printed calendars existed anywhere in their region. The beads helped them understand their bodies and plan family matters based on natural rhythms.
Another major display focuses on five brave women who died for their Christian faith. These female martyrs faced terrible persecution yet refused to abandon their beliefs. Their courage matched that of any male hero, yet history books mention them less often. The exhibition brings their sacrifice back into public awareness.
Central displays honor Princess Clara Catherine Nalumansi, Sarah Nakima Nalwanga, Kikuvambuga, Maria Matilda Manuku, and Valeria Mmeeme. These pioneering women faced death sentences under Kabaka Mwanga because they stayed faithful to Christianity. Each refused to reject her religious beliefs despite terrible threats. Their names deserve recognition alongside male martyrs from the same period.
Exhibit creator Uwera praised Princess Clara Nalumansi when speaking with Princess Naalinya about family history. Research revealed how Clara lost her royal status and suffered public humiliation. Angry crowds spat at Clara and threw items as guards dragged her from the palace. Despite this harsh treatment, she never wavered in her religious commitment.
Queen Muhumuza takes center stage in another exhibit section, showing her fierce independence. She challenged both local kings and European colonial forces from Britain and Germany. This powerful Kigezi leader maintained control despite enormous pressure from multiple enemies. Her fighting skills and bravery remind many visitors of legendary Amazon warriors from ancient stories.
Muhumuza came from Rwanda after losing her husband, King Kigeli IV, in 1895. She built her reputation through battle skills and connection to Nyabingi spiritual practices. British forces eventually captured this fierce queen and sent her away to Kampala. Even during exile, she continued telling people to fight against colonial rule.
Future rebels found motivation in Muhumuza's brave example and carried forward her Nyabingi movement. This resistance spread beyond East Africa, affecting freedom fights in places as far away as Jamaica. She showed everyone that women could lead politically, fight physically, and guide spiritually just like men. Modern activists still draw strength from her powerful legacy.
Police pioneer Pauline M. Bangirana, the first female patrol officer, forever changed law enforcement. During early independence, she broke barriers inside the male-dominated police force. Her determination opened career paths previously closed to Ugandan women. The exhibition details how she transformed institutional rules through personal courage.
Pauline Maniraguha Bangirana joined the police service in 1960 with nine other brave women. She made history by becoming the first female officer assigned to patrol duties. Her career advanced steadily until reaching superintendent rank before retirement. The department recognized her groundbreaking service with their special centenary medal.
Police rules once forbade female officers from marrying anyone. Pregnancy meant automatic dismissal from the force under strict regulations. Pauline directly challenged these unfair policies after becoming pregnant herself. She fought against leadership and successfully changed employment rules. Her victory helped all future female officers balance family life with police careers.
Justice Leticia Mukasa Kikonyogo appears next in the exhibition for her numerous legal firsts. She became Uganda's first woman judge, first female chief magistrate, and first lady on the Supreme Court bench. Her career peaked in 2001 with her appointment as deputy chief justice, another breakthrough position. Each promotion required overcoming significant resistance from legal establishments.
Men running the courts gave Kikonyogo the tiniest office space available despite her high position. Some officials forced her to sit among lower-ranking magistrates instead of with fellow judges. They purposely disrespected her authority through these actions. She faced daily challenges proving her rightful place on the bench despite official appointments.
Visitors discover remarkable women from every career field throughout the gallery space. Fashion stars, entertainers, politicians, and legal experts fill the remaining displays. Princess Elizabeth Bagaya stands out for combining careers as an international runway model and pioneering attorney. She became the first Ugandan woman to practice law professionally.
Makerere University's art gallery hosts the display, which opened on March 7, 2025, and runs until March 19. Twin sisters Portia Uwera and Keshia Kenyangi started the Because of Her Uganda organization and created this showcase. They mentioned that this marks their fourth time arranging such an exhibition. Anyone can visit the gallery without paying an entrance fee.
The free exhibition features artwork and life stories of Ugandan women who earned recognition but rarely received it. The display brings attention to female contributions to politics, art, and community life throughout Uganda's history. These women shaped their nation in major ways, yet their names disappeared from many historical accounts. The organizers want visitors to learn these forgotten stories.
Uwera explained their main goal involves putting women back into the national story where they belong. She said women helped build the country and shaped its culture alongside men. The exhibit aims to correct how history books often skip female contributions despite their huge impact. Women played key roles in every major development throughout Uganda's past.
The exhibition fits into broader efforts to preserve female accomplishments across Uganda, according to Uwera. These stories become important when discussing equal rights between men and women today. Young girls need to see themselves represented in historical accounts of their nation. The display helps connect past female achievements with current struggles for equality.
The first section features amazing medical advances by Ugandan women before Europeans arrived. These medical practitioners performed complex surgeries long before Western doctors thought such procedures were possible. Their techniques saved countless lives through traditional knowledge passed between generations. Local healers developed methods that stunned foreign medical experts.
Visitors first encounter displays about Ugandan women who made scientific breakthroughs centuries ago. One highlight shows how local women performed successful cesarean births before colonial times. These female healers developed surgical skills that demonstrated their incredible innovation and bravery. Their medical knowledge proved revolutionary compared to what existed elsewhere.
European mothers usually died during cesarean births until modern times, but Ugandan healers saved both mothers and babies through advanced methods. Their surgical approach shocked Western medical professionals who visited the region. These local techniques worked effectively without modern equipment or hospitals. Female practitioners passed down this knowledge through generations.
British explorer Robert W Felkin witnessed Baganda healers complete a successful cesarean birth in 1879. He documented everything he saw with great detail and published his observations. The Edinburgh Medical Journal printed his account in 1884, spreading the word about these skills. His writings provide clear evidence that Ugandan surgical knowledge surpassed European capabilities.
European doctors feared cesarean births and attempted them just when mothers faced certain death. Uganda developed completely different approaches through local healing traditions. Healers across various Ugandan regions regularly performed these surgeries with both mother and baby surviving. Their success rates exceeded anything possible in European hospitals during that era.
Felkin described how the mother sat partially upright during the procedure instead of lying flat. She drank banana wine, which worked as medicine to reduce pain, calm her nerves, and clean the surgical area. The skilled healer used an iron knife to make a straight cut down her belly. This careful cutting avoided damage to important stomach muscles beneath the skin.
Healers gently pulled apart tissue layers using their hands to limit blood loss during surgery. After reaching the womb, they made another precise cut to take out the baby. They quickly cut and tied the umbilical cord before passing the newborn to helpers for cleaning. Next came a massage of the mother's womb, followed by the removal of the afterbirth material.
Female healers controlled bleeding by touching hot iron against leaking blood vessels, just like doctors do today with medical tools. They applied special plant medicines directly to the open wound right after stopping the blood flow. These herbs helped prevent infection and promote faster healing. The entire process followed careful steps refined over centuries.
The exhibition also features moon beads created by Ugandan women centuries ago. These bead systems tracked menstrual cycles by following the phases of the moon. Women crafted these tools long before printed calendars existed anywhere in their region. The beads helped them understand their bodies and plan family matters based on natural rhythms.
Another major display focuses on five brave women who died for their Christian faith. These female martyrs faced terrible persecution yet refused to abandon their beliefs. Their courage matched that of any male hero, yet history books mention them less often. The exhibition brings their sacrifice back into public awareness.
Central displays honor Princess Clara Catherine Nalumansi, Sarah Nakima Nalwanga, Kikuvambuga, Maria Matilda Manuku, and Valeria Mmeeme. These pioneering women faced death sentences under Kabaka Mwanga because they stayed faithful to Christianity. Each refused to reject her religious beliefs despite terrible threats. Their names deserve recognition alongside male martyrs from the same period.
Exhibit creator Uwera praised Princess Clara Nalumansi when speaking with Princess Naalinya about family history. Research revealed how Clara lost her royal status and suffered public humiliation. Angry crowds spat at Clara and threw items as guards dragged her from the palace. Despite this harsh treatment, she never wavered in her religious commitment.
Queen Muhumuza takes center stage in another exhibit section, showing her fierce independence. She challenged both local kings and European colonial forces from Britain and Germany. This powerful Kigezi leader maintained control despite enormous pressure from multiple enemies. Her fighting skills and bravery remind many visitors of legendary Amazon warriors from ancient stories.
Muhumuza came from Rwanda after losing her husband, King Kigeli IV, in 1895. She built her reputation through battle skills and connection to Nyabingi spiritual practices. British forces eventually captured this fierce queen and sent her away to Kampala. Even during exile, she continued telling people to fight against colonial rule.
Future rebels found motivation in Muhumuza's brave example and carried forward her Nyabingi movement. This resistance spread beyond East Africa, affecting freedom fights in places as far away as Jamaica. She showed everyone that women could lead politically, fight physically, and guide spiritually just like men. Modern activists still draw strength from her powerful legacy.
Police pioneer Pauline M. Bangirana, the first female patrol officer, forever changed law enforcement. During early independence, she broke barriers inside the male-dominated police force. Her determination opened career paths previously closed to Ugandan women. The exhibition details how she transformed institutional rules through personal courage.
Pauline Maniraguha Bangirana joined the police service in 1960 with nine other brave women. She made history by becoming the first female officer assigned to patrol duties. Her career advanced steadily until reaching superintendent rank before retirement. The department recognized her groundbreaking service with their special centenary medal.
Police rules once forbade female officers from marrying anyone. Pregnancy meant automatic dismissal from the force under strict regulations. Pauline directly challenged these unfair policies after becoming pregnant herself. She fought against leadership and successfully changed employment rules. Her victory helped all future female officers balance family life with police careers.
Justice Leticia Mukasa Kikonyogo appears next in the exhibition for her numerous legal firsts. She became Uganda's first woman judge, first female chief magistrate, and first lady on the Supreme Court bench. Her career peaked in 2001 with her appointment as deputy chief justice, another breakthrough position. Each promotion required overcoming significant resistance from legal establishments.
Men running the courts gave Kikonyogo the tiniest office space available despite her high position. Some officials forced her to sit among lower-ranking magistrates instead of with fellow judges. They purposely disrespected her authority through these actions. She faced daily challenges proving her rightful place on the bench despite official appointments.
Visitors discover remarkable women from every career field throughout the gallery space. Fashion stars, entertainers, politicians, and legal experts fill the remaining displays. Princess Elizabeth Bagaya stands out for combining careers as an international runway model and pioneering attorney. She became the first Ugandan woman to practice law professionally.
