The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers

As the year comes to an end, we pause and briefly reflect on 2011.

For FIDA Uganda, it has been a year full of achievements, learning and growth.

We take a minute to thank all those who have contributed to yet another successful year for FIDA Uganda:

The thousands of clients who approached FIDA Uganda’s legal aid clinics across the country, trusting in our legal aid officers’ expertise and ability to understand their predicaments and improve their lives.

The members who leaped at every opportunity to participate in FIDA Uganda’s activities, reaching thousands through numerous community dialog sessions, mobile legal aid clinics and engagements with the public via the media.

The educators who shared knowledge with our members and the public.

The writers who contributed to FIDA Uganda’s publications.

The politicians who made FIDA Uganda proud.

The fans who liked FIDA Uganda’s page on facebook, kept up to date with current affairs and interacted with the organization via social media.

The volunteers and interns who gave their all while furthering a cause they so evidently hold dear to their hearts.

The administrative staff who ran errands, prepared meals, cleaned offices, scheduled meetings, answered important calls, photocopied confidential documents, sent bulk text messages and emails, and drove thousands of kilometers.

The technicians who offered support and kept machines running.

The media houses that recognized the difference made by FIDA Uganda throughout the year.

The auditors who appreciated FIDA Uganda’s phenomenal re-birth and identified areas for growth and improvement.

The secretariat – working tirelessly behind the scenes to manage projects, coordinate activities, keep finances in balance, engage members, assist clients, monitor cases handled, network with like-minded entities, create innovative solutions and approaches to challenges, develop and distribute educational material, collaborate with law enforcement agencies, medical professionals, the judiciary, cultural leaders, and the media to advance the rights of women and children… doing everything humanly possible to keep FIDA Uganda vibrant and progressive in all its operations.

The members of the board who consulted stakeholders, offered guidance and made non-trivial decisions.

The trustees who kept the organization’s future in focus while fostering growth.

The sister organizations who marched in solidarity, working together to effect lasting and meaningful change for the women and children of Uganda.

The development partners who joined hands with FIDA Uganda to make a difference.

The families and friends who offered support and encouragement throughout the year.

To all those who contributed generously to what has been a fulfilling year for FIDA Uganda, we express our sincerest gratitude and wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2012.

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On 19 May 2011, Ms. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga was voted Speaker of the 9th Parliament of Uganda.

FIDA Uganda is extremely proud and deeply honored to congratulate Speaker Kadaga on this achievement. She is our country’s first woman speaker, and she carries credentials that make her perfect for the job.

As a highly competent woman lawyer with excellent leadership skills, Ms. Kadaga was president of FIDA Uganda from 1986 to 1989. She has contributed greatly to the growth and development of FIDA Uganda. Her successes humble and inspire FIDA Uganda. As our inspired members look to greater heights, we anticipate more women assuming positions in leadership and excelling in those positions.

We celebrate her successes with great excitement, knowing that she will do an excellent job as a Speaker who is highly conversant with the law and intimately familiar with the issues facing Ugandan women.

More information on Speaker Kadaga’s achievements can be found by clicking the image above.

This year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 24 July at the Golf Course Hotel, Kampala. All FIDA Uganda members were invited, and attendance was high enough to achieve a quorum. During the AGM, the Annual Report was discussed, as well as various other important issues. Successes achieved during the year were highlighted, most notably: growth in membership, financial growth, and the purchase of land in Butabika. An election was held and members elected a new board. The new board members include: Ms. Laura Nyirinkindi (Chairperson); Ms. Nakakande Janet Kigozi; Ms. Lydia Nabiryo; Ms. Peruth Nshemereirwe; and Ms. Rebecca Nassimbwa Nsumba.

Left to Right: Dr. Maria Nassali (CEO) and Ms. Barbara Angopa (designer of the new logo) proudly display FIDA Uganda's new logo

At the AGM, FIDA Uganda’s new logo was unveiled. The logo was designed by Ms. Barbara Angopa. Building on the previous logo’s strength, Ms. Angopa presented a brand new logo that took into consideration FIDA Uganda’s public image as investigated by Ms. Angopa. The new logo invokes many positive feelings and captures the essence of FIDA Uganda. It depicts freedom, justice, empowerment, inclusiveness, motherhood, strength, courage, hope, talent, outspokenness, boldness, clarity, professionalism, progressiveness, achievement, wholesomeness, resilience, joy, excitement, enthusiasm, dependability, equality, and many other positive aspects of FIDA Uganda as an organization.

Many thanks to Ms. Angopa for the new logo.