Imara Girls Festival 2024 was held at Kati Kati grounds in Lugogo on October 12th. This year, the gathering celebrated the empowerment and leadership of girls and women in Uganda. Just for the record, it was such a colorful Saturday where the number of attendees turned out to be huge this time round.
The Imara Girls Festival is a campaign that celebrates the role and contributions of women and girls in breaking boundaries, overcoming stereotypes, and advancing development. The 2024 edition brought together key actors from various sectors, including civil society organizations, businesses, and media.
Notable Speeches At Imara Girls Festival 2024
The festival was also aimed to inspire and motivate. We witnessed thought-provoking speeches from influential women leaders. A key moment came when Patricia Munabi, Executive Director of the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), took the stage to speak about leadership and the importance of nurturing young women and girls.
“At FOWODE, it’s our business to nurture and build girls’ and young women’s leadership,” Munabi remarked, emphasizing the organization’s long-standing commitment to developing the next generation of female leaders. Her words resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom were adolescents standing at the crossroads of their futures, ready to be inspired and take on leadership roles in their communities.
Brenda Nanyonjo, Founder of Miss Uganda and CEO of the Miss Uganda Foundation, added another powerful layer to the day’s messages.“As a girl, before others invest in you, invest in yourself first. Invest time in your personal growth and development,” Nanyonjo urged, “Without discipline, you cannot achieve much because you cannot attract anyone to invest in you.”
The Life Of The Party At Imara Girls Festival 2024
The long queues of excited girls at the entrance were super excited and full of glamour. Inside the grounds, attendees were treated to musical performances by some of Uganda’s finest female artists, including Nina Roze, Lilian Mbabazi, Jackie Chandiru, Karole Kasita, Kataleya, and Kandle, among others. The energy was infectious, and the vibrant performances kept the crowd engaged throughout the day. Wembley Foundation’s young performers also wowed the audience with their drumming and dancing skills.
What is Imara Women’s Center?
This year, the Imara Girls Festival was dedicated to the establishment of the Imara Women’s Center (IWC). Attendees were requested to fundraise as little as UGX 1000/=. Imara Women’s Center is an initiative spearheaded by FOWODE. The center will be a space for women’s independent organizing and a practical base for advancing the struggle for gender equality in Uganda. The center will be established on 2.3 acres of land in Kasangati, Wakiso District. The Ugx 28 billion project will offer a safe and empowering space for women, focused on safety, dignity, and ending violence against women. According to sources, it will anchor interventions aimed at promoting women’s agency and voice for the next 25 years.
Who Organized the Imara Girls Festival 2024?
The success of the Imara Girls Festival 2024 was made possible through the collaboration of several partners, including Reach a Hand Uganda, FOWODE, and Sauti Plus Media Hub. Humphrey Nabimanya, founder of Reach a Hand Uganda, played an instrumental role in ensuring the event’s success, demonstrating how partnerships can be harnessed to support the empowerment of women and girls. The event also received significant media attention, with major outlets like NBS, NTV, and Daily Monitor covering the festival. Brands came out to support the cause, advertising their products and services in solidarity with the girl child’s empowerment.
Other Notable Speeches At Imara Girls Festival 2024
Barbara Kasekende, Head of Business Advisory, Uganda Development Bank also mentioned some notable issues. “Don’t wait for someone else to build your future. Take charge and invest in your growth,” Kasekende emphasized. The theme of the festival was “Invest in Her, Unleash Her Potential.”
The festival took place a day after the International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated annually on October 11th, making it a perfect continuation of the global celebration of girls’ rights. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, small bites, and various activities that continued until midnight, making it a truly joyful occasion to celebrate the progress girls have made, particularly in achieving education and opportunities for personal growth.
“It’s great to see men supporting women and girls in their journey toward empowerment. This shows that organizations like FOWODE and Reach a Hand Uganda are making inclusive progress,” Mildred Pedun from NTV Uganda noted.
As the day came to an end, the festival grounds were filled with music, dancing, and laughter, capping off a successful event that left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
More Gallery from Imara Girls Festival 2024
