KAMPALA – Incumbent Kasese Women Member of Parliament and former leader of opposition Winnie Kiiza has quit active politics after 15 years of service.
In a statement dated July 14, Kizza revealed that she will not seek reelection in Kasese but will remain active with the forces of change.
“The only way I can feel successful is by participating in the election of my successor. I want to give chance to another lady to come up. I have talked so many times about overstaying in power I will not be different if I sought office this time,” said Kiiza.
Kiiza noted that for a long time they have talked against overstay in power, and therefore it’s the right time to take the lead.
“I can only feel successful if I participate in the election of my successor so that together we can shape the destiny of our community. I am grateful to the people of Kasese district for placing their trust in me and according me the privilege to serve them and our country at large,” reads an excerpt.
She further thanked the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) under the leadership of Dr. Kizza Besigye and then Mugisha Muntu for according her opportunities that highlighted her leadership qualities, including serving as the first female leader of the Opposition in the political history of Uganda.
“In a special way, I thank my lovely husband Hon. Bwambale Yokasi Bihande, family and friends for the support all through this journey,” Kiiza noted.
she added, “As I am about to take leave, I want to give you assurance that I will continue holding on to the struggle for good governance, human dignity, equality and justice.”
Kiiza’s entry into full-time politics occurred in the 1996 to 2001 political season, during which she served on the Kasese District Local Council as the District Secretary for Finance.
In 2001, she was reelected to the district council, serving as Secretary for Education and later Secretary for Social Services.
She contested the Kasese district Woman parliamentary seat in 2006, on the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) political party ticket where she won and was re-elected in 2011 and in 2016.
In May 2016, Kiiza, at age 44, was appointed Leader of Opposition in the parliament of Uganda, making her the first woman to assume that position in the history of the country until August 2018 when she was replaced as by Betty Ochan.
Full Statement below:
We have had a great run together!
Fellow Ugandans,
It has been an incredible honour and privilege to serve the people of Kasese District, first as a District Councillor representing the people of Kyondo-Kisinga sub-counties for seven years and then as Kasese District Woman Representative in the Parliament of Uganda since 2006.
Over the course of the last twenty-two years, I have been blessed with opportunities to serve my country in various leadership capacities.
Allow me thank the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) under the leadership of Dr. Kizza Besigye and then Maj.Gen.(Rtd) Mugisha Muntu for according me opportunities that highlighted my leadership qualities, including serving as the first female leader of the Opposition in the political history of Uganda.
With that being stated, I wish to inform you of my decision to not seek re-election for the Kasese District Woman Representative seat in the forthcoming general election. For a long time we have talked against overstay in power, and I think it’s the right time to take the lead.
I can only feel successful if I participate in the election of my successor so that together we can shape the destiny of our community.
I am grateful to the people of Kasese district for placing their trust in me and according me the privilege to serve them and our country at large.
I have much respect for all individuals, groups, organisations and institutions that support all my efforts, and it’s my humble prayer that you be rewarded.
In a special way, I thank my lovely husband Hon. Bwambale Yokasi Bihande, family and friends for the support all through this journey.
As I am about to take leave, I want to give you assurance that I will continue holding on to the struggle for good governance, human dignity, equality and justice.
Lastly but most importantly, I thank God, by his grace, we have been able to come this far.
Thank you!
For God and My Country.
Winnie Kiiza, MP
Kasese District.
