Kampala, Uganda – March 18, 2026
The Rt Hon Anita Annet Among today presided over the closing ceremony of a landmark continental gathering and officially launched the African Rangelands and Pastoralists Women Charter at Speke Resort Munyonyo, underscoring Uganda’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable pastoral development.
Addressing delegates from across Africa, the Speaker described the event as a historic milestone that elevates the role of women in pastoralism—an area she noted has traditionally been underrepresented in policy and discourse.
“Oftentimes, discussions of rangelands and pastoralism in Africa focus mainly on men, yet the story is incomplete without women,” she said, commending organizers for recognizing the central and indivisible role women play in sustaining pastoral livelihoods.
The Rt Hon Speaker conveyed fraternal greetings from Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who expressed full support for the initiative. She highlighted the Government of Uganda’s continued efforts to strengthen pastoral systems through progressive policies such as the National Land Policy and the National Climate Change Act 2021.
She further pointed to significant improvements in security within pastoral regions, particularly in Karamoja, attributing this progress to government-led disarmament programs and enhanced cross-border cooperation with Kenya to curb livestock theft. These efforts, she noted, have led to a marked reduction in cattle rustling while enabling broader livelihood diversification through irrigation and skills development.
Emphasizing the importance of inclusion, the Rt Hon Speaker noted that the newly launched Charter seeks to amplify the voices of pastoralist women and ensure their active participation in decision-making processes affecting their communities.
“I am a pastoralist woman myself. I have cattle, so the issues of pastoralist women are pertinent to me,” she stated.
The gathering, aligned with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (2026), attracted over 200 participants, including grassroots pastoralist women, government leaders, and civil society organizations from countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Benin, and Cameroon.
Invoking the African philosophy of Ubuntu—“I am because we are”—the Rt Hon Speaker called for unity across the continent in addressing shared challenges related to climate resilience, land governance, and gender equity.
She also applauded development partners and supporters, including GIZ, FAO, ILC, and others, for their contributions toward advancing sustainable pastoralism across Africa.
Providing national context, the Rt Hon Speaker noted that Uganda’s rangelands cover approximately 44% of the country’s land area—about 84,000 square kilometers—and support over 6.6 million people. These rangelands, largely located within the “Cattle Corridor,” remain vital to the country’s socio-economic fabric.
She concluded by reaffirming Uganda’s commitment to empowering pastoral communities, particularly women, through inclusive policies, regional collaboration, and sustained investment.
The launch of the African Rangelands and Pastoralists Women Charter marks a significant step toward ensuring that women are placed at the center of Africa’s pastoral development agenda.
