Over the weekend, Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) and the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) joined forces to host the Imara Girls Festival, a lively celebration of young women’s voices, creativity, and potential. Held at Kati Kati Grounds in Kampala, the event provided a platform for girls and young women to explore solutions to the pressing socio-economic issues they face in Uganda.
Under the theme “Invest in Her, Unleash Her Potential,” the festival emphasized the critical role young women play in driving both local and global development.
Patricia Munabi, Executive Director of FOWODE, underscored the importance of programs aimed at addressing challenges young women encounter. “We know that Uganda has a high teenage pregnancy rate, which interferes with the education of the girl child. Additionally, the digital divide has left many girls behind. We must bridge this gap and empower more girls to reach their full potential,” she remarked.
Similarly, James Tumusiime, Country Director at Reach A Hand Uganda, emphasized the importance of building the capacity of young women. “When we encourage women to join business and invest in women-led enterprises, they create meaningful change—not only in their own lives but also in their families and communities. Taking care of girls and women is key to national prosperity,” Tumusiime stated.
A Day of Entertainment, Inspiration, and Fundraising
The festival also offered a vibrant mix of entertainment, featuring performances from popular female artists such as Lillian Mbabazi, Jackie Chandiru, Racheal Ray, Ava Peace, and Laika Music. The day-long event included games, prizes, and business exhibitions from both partners and women-owned enterprises, such as Movit, Old Mutual Investment Group, and DKT.
Recognizing the importance of collaboration and unified voices, the festival encouraged young women to challenge stereotypes, build leadership skills, and cultivate agency.
Fundraising for Imara Women’s Centre
Beyond entertainment, the festival doubled as a fundraiser for the Imara Women’s Centre (IWC), an initiative aimed at advancing women’s rights. The IWC will provide a space for reflection, learning, and networking, fostering leadership and creativity among women in Uganda.
As part of the fundraising effort, the 1K Campaign—previously launched in schools across Kampala—continued during the festival, urging attendees to contribute donations of 1,000 UGX toward the center’s development.
The Imara Girls Festival highlighted the importance of investing in young women, not only as a means of personal empowerment but as a vital step toward sustainable national growth. With continued support from partners and the community, the festival promises to inspire even greater opportunities for young women across Uganda.