Florence Alice Lubega, Uganda’s first female MP, has died at the age of 103.
Born on November 05, 1917, Lubega passed on October 28, 2021.
Lubega served was the only female MP in the Legislative Council (Legco) between 1958 and 1961.
At independence, Legco paved way for the national parliament that had two female MPs: Lubega and Sugra Visram who represented Kibuga and Singo North West, respectively.
Lubega graduated from Oxford University in 1946, took up a teaching job at Makerere University and later joined politics.
Inn her maiden speech delivered in the Legco in 1959, Lubega made a case for girlchild education and women emancipation.
Here is what she said decades ago:
“What could be of more importance to the health and progress of a society than to give its women the best that education can offer? Because of the social changes, lack of missionary teachers and lack of money, govt had to step in in order to spread and speed up education. So, girls’ education was tanked on to boys schools. That is better than nothing but it is not good enough. There are no co-educational schools in the country yet.
There are mixed schools with a small proportion of girls in them and in some,there is only one man teacher on the staff to teach subjects which ought to be in the girls’ timetable.
We cannot afford to leave these subjects put off an African girls’ education at the time of social changes. They would make her more attractive, especially as marriage is still regarded in our society as almost the only career open to the many girls.
PARLIAMENT MOURNS FIRST FEMALE MP FLORENCE ALICE LUBEGA
Deputy Speaker Anita Annet Among said Lubega was an inspiration.
“Hon Florence Alice Lubega, as the first female legislator, inspired the rest of us to take up the mantle of leadership,” wrote Among.
“We celebrate her mentorship, inspiration and courage that [removed] barriers for woman leaders. May the lord grant her eternal rest.”
Government Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa said: “Rest in Peace Uganda’s First Female Member of Parliament Hon Florence Alice Lubega. Born on 5 November 1917 – Died 28 October 2021, she joined parliament in 1962. You opened the gates for female legislators not only in Uganda but across the continent.”
